HANOI/MANILA - Tropical Storm Trami continued to wreak havoc across parts of South-east Asia on Oct 27, making landfall in central Vietnam as the authorities there warn the heavy rains it triggers could cause dangerous floods.

       Trami has already left a trail of destruction in the Philippines, with the death toll rising to at least 90, and the country bracing for a new cyclone and Trami’s possible return.

       As many as 41 people were reported missing following the storm that also displaced more than half a million people, the Philippines’ disaster risk reduction agency said on Oct 26. Most of the deaths from the storm occurred on the main Luzon island.

       Ariel Nepomuceno, head of the Office of Civil Defence, said many of these reported deaths were still being validated to confirm the cause of death was directly related to the storm.

       Food, water, hygiene and medical supplies are sufficient, however, extensive flooding was hindering relief efforts, with many areas accessible only by boats, he said.

       In Malaysia, the Malaysian Meteorological Department warned of severe thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds for northern parts of the peninsula, reported The Star.

       In a statement on Oct 27, it said adverse weather is expected until 4pm in Perlis; Kedah (Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Kuala Muda, Sik, Baling, Kulim and Bandar Baharu); Penang; and Perak (Kerian, Larut, Matang and Selama, Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar and Kinta).

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       In Vietnam, rainfall in several parts of provinces from Quang Binh to Quang Nam is forecast to reach 60cm on Oct 27-28, according to the national weather forecast agency.

       “The risks of floods are high at urban areas from Ha Tinh to Binh Dinh provinces,” the agency said.

       Heavy rains are also expected to hit the Central Highlands, the country’s key coffee-growing area, according to the agency.

       Trami, with wind speeds of up to 88kmh, made landfall in Hue and Danang. Maximum wind speeds have since weakened to 74kmh.

       The storm has forced four airports in central Vietnam to close temporarily, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam. Among them, the international airport in Danang City was closed from 6am on Oct 27 to 4am on Oct 28.

       State media reports said Trami’s strong winds downed trees and advertisement boards in Danang.

       Vietnam and the Philippines, both with extensive coastlines, are prone to storms and floods that often cause heavy casualties and property damage. Both were also battered by Typhoon Yagi last month.

       The Philippines could yet suffer more damage from Trami, with the storm expected to loop back toward the archipelago due to potential interaction with another tropical storm called Kong-Rey, according to Philippine weather forecaster Pagasa.

       Kong-Rey is moving west north-west over the Philippine sea and is expected to become a typhoon by Oct 28 before leaving the Philippines.

       Trami – known in the Philippines as Kristine – saw schools closed, work in government offices suspended and the currency market shut before leaving the country. It is forecast to loop as soon as Oct 27.

       Early estimates placed damage to agriculture and infrastructure at 378 million pesos (S$8.6 million), the weather agency said. REUTERS, BLOOMBERG