Tropical Storm Koto Claims Three Lives in Vietnam’s Central Coast

Tropical Storm Koto has resulted in the deaths of three individuals and left one person missing as it approached Vietnam’s central coast. Authorities reported the casualties on November 30, 2023, amidst strong winds and high seas that threatened vessels along the flood-affected region. The storm has compounded the challenges faced by communities already grappling with severe flooding from previous rainfalls.

Heavy rains have impacted Vietnam’s central belt in recent weeks, flooding historic sites and popular tourist destinations. The damage has been extensive, with estimates reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. In response to the approaching storm, local authorities ordered boats to return to shore and redirected dozens of flights, as state media indicated the storm’s potential for dangerous conditions.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment reported that two vessels sank due to the tumultuous waters: a fishing boat in Khanh Hoa province and a smaller raft in Lam Dong province. The search for the missing individual continues as authorities assess the overall impact of Koto.

Storm Progression and Forecast

As of Sunday morning, Koto was located over 300 km offshore and had been downgraded from a typhoon to a tropical storm. The Vietnam National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting indicated that Koto is moving slowly and is expected to weaken further before making landfall next week. Rainfall accumulations of up to 150 mm are anticipated on December 5 and 6 across regions from Hue to Khanh Hoa, which are still recovering from previous floods.

Vietnam is situated in one of the Earth’s most active tropical cyclone regions, typically experiencing approximately ten typhoons or storms annually. Koto marks the 15th storm of the year, adding to an already devastating toll on communities. According to the National Statistics Office, natural disasters in Vietnam have led to over 400 fatalities or individuals reported missing this year, alongside damages exceeding US$3 billion.

The country generally faces heavy rainfall from June to September. Recent studies suggest that human-driven climate change is contributing to the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events in the region. This trend raises concerns about the growing challenges that communities will face in the future.

As authorities continue to monitor the situation, the impact of Tropical Storm Koto serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of Vietnam’s coastal regions to natural disasters.