Tropical Cyclone TRAMI, Vietnam, Lao PDR and Cambodia
on 27-28 October 2024

Tropical Cyclone TRAMI, Vietnam, Lao PDR and Cambodia

Central Vietnam, particularly from Quang Tri to Da Nang, is experiencing strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges in coastal areas, leading to a high risk of landslides.

In Laos, moderate rainfall and strong winds are anticipated, especially in the central, southern, and northeastern districts, particularly in areas bordering Vietnam and Lao PDR, such as Bolikhamxay, Khammuane, Savannakhet, Salavane, Sekong, Champasak, and Attapeu.

In Cambodia, the region is impacted by strong winds and isolated storms with rain in some areas.

According to the Mekong River Commission (MRC), heavy rain may cause flash floods and overflows, particularly in foothill and mountainous areas, affecting regions including Gia Lai and Kon Tum in Vietnam, as well as Bolikhamxay, Khammuane, Savannakhet, Salavane, Sekong, Champasak, and Attapeu in Laos, and Ratana Kiri and Stung Treng in Cambodia.

Vietnam

Impact on Affected Areas

According to a report from the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention (DDMND) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Tropical Cyclone No. 6, known as Tra Mi, made landfall around noon on October 27, impacting the provinces from Quang Tri to Da Nang. The strongest winds near the storm's center reached level 8, with gusts of up to level 10. After moving deep into the mainland of Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam - Da Nang provinces, later that afternoon, the storm weakened into a tropical depression, with wind speeds decreasing to level 7 and gusts at level 9.

Note: Wind speed levels are measured using the Beaufort Wind Scale, where level 12 represents the highest wind speeds (72-83 km/h or 64-71 mph), classified as a hurricane, causing extreme conditions.
- Level 7: 32-38 km/h (28-33 mph)
- Level 8: 39-46 km/h (34-40 mph)
- Level 9: 47-54 km/h (41-47 mph)
source: https://www.weather.gov/mfl/beaufort

Extent of Damage

Statistics from DDMND reveal that Tra Mi and the resulting floods resulted in

-          the deaths of 8 people (7 in Quang Binh and 1 in Thua Thien Hue) and

-          the injuries to 14 others (7 in Quang Binh, 1 in Quang Tri, 2 in Thua Thien Hue, and 4 in Quang Nam).

The storm caused significant damage, blowing off roofs, damaging 326 houses (13 in Quang Tri, 235 in Thua Thien Hue, 18 in Quang Nam, and 60 in Da Nang), and flooding tens of thousands of homes

Rising sea levels led to coastal erosion, with 1,000 meters of coastline affected in Thua Thien Hue. Many trees were uprooted, numerous roads were flooded, and infrastructure suffered extensive damage across Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, and Quang Nam.

 Agricultural Devastation

In terms of agriculture, a total of 1,269 hectares of crops and fruit trees were flooded and damaged, with the breakdown as follows:

• Quang Binh:       791 hectares
• Quang Tri:          456 hectares
• Da Nang:                10 hectares
• Quang Nam:           7 hectares
• Thua Thien Hue:   5 hectares

Regarding livestock, the cyclone caused the death or loss of:

• 1,506 cattle, with losses distributed as follows:
• Quang Tri:     1,017
• Quang Binh:  488
• Quang Nam:  1
• 104,699 poultry, with the following losses:
• Quang Binh: 70,537
• Quang Tri:     34,092
• Quang Nam: 70

In aquaculture, the storm damaged a total of 1,734 hectares of aquatic farming, with the distribution as follows:

• Quang Binh:    895    hectares
• Quang Tri:       837    hectares
• Ha Tinh:                2    hectares

Government Response and Countermeasures in Vietnam

In response to Tropical Storm TRAMI, the government, along with various departments and local People's Committees, has implemented proactive measures in several key steps as follows:

• Closely monitoring weather forecasts for Storm No. 6.
• Running public awareness campaigns to:
• Help residents strengthen their homes.
• Encourage securing trees that may fall.
• Plans have been created for evacuating and relocating people to keep them safe from storms, floods, storm surges, flash floods, and landslides.

• Emergency services, including police, border guards, and military personnel, are ready to assist with rescue and relief operations.
• After the storm, local authorities quickly:

• Sent officers, doctors, and nurses to provide medical check-ups and free medicine to affected families.
• Visited homes to deliver essential supplies like rice, instant noodles, and dry food.

Lao PDR

As of November 1, the Department of Planning and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has provided information regarding the serious disaster in Laos from October 27-28, 2024.

The Bureau of Meteorology reports that Tropical Storm TRAMI has weakened into a tropical cyclone. As of 7:00 a.m. on October 28, the storm was centered at 15.7 degrees north and 108.0 degrees east, moving over Quang Nam province, Vietnam, with a maximum speed of 45 kilometers per hour. The storm is expected to shift east-northeast towards the South China Sea on October 28-29.

In Lao PDR, the weather will be affected as follows:

• The northeast region may experience moderate rainfall (50-60%) and strong winds in some districts.
• The central and southern regions are expected to have light to moderate rainfall
  (60-70%) with occasional gusty winds.

So far, there have been no reports of agricultural damage from the provinces, indicating that the tropical cyclone has not significantly impacted food security in the country.

Cambodia

As of November 2, the Department of Planning and Statistics has provided an update regarding the serious disaster in Cambodia from October 27-28, 2024. According to the report, "Tropical Cyclone TRAMI" did not significantly impact Cambodia, as water levels had reached their final line and have been decreasing since mid-October 2024. During this period, the country experienced only strong winds and a few storms with rain, while the agricultural sectors remained unaffected.

Source:

(1)ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council

(2) Center for Informatics and Statistics (CIS) of Vietnam, and Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)

(3) Department of Planning and Cooperation (DOPC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) of Lao PDR

(4) Department of Planning and Statistics (DPS) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Cambodia.

(5) Mekong River Commission (MRC)

References:

1. https://ahacentre.org/flash-update/flash-update-no-01-tropical-cyclone-trami-kristine-philippines-22-october-2024/
2. Vietnam National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting: NCHMF (nchmf.gov.vn)
3. Death toll from Typhoon Trami, flooding in central region climbs to 8 (vietnamnews.vn)

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