Storm Trami lands in central Vietnam posing flood risks

Storm Trami is making landfall in central Vietnam on Sunday as the authorities warn the heavy rains it triggers could cause dangerous floods.

The Southeast Asian country, with a long coastline, is prone to storms and floods that often cause heavy casualties and property damage.

Rainfall in several parts of provinces from Quang Binh to Quang Nam is forecast to reach 60 cm (23.62 inches) on Sunday and Monday, 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 88 kph (54.68 mph), was 65 kilometres (40.39 miles) northeast of Danang at 9:00 a.m. (0200 GMT) on Sunday.

The storm has forced four airports in central Vietnam to temporarily close, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam. Among them, the international airport in Danang City will be closed from 6:00 a.m. on Sunday until 4:00 a.m. on Monday.

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

Last month, typhoon Yagi and the floods it triggered killed more than 300 people and caused property damage of more than $3.3 billion in northern Vietnam.