DA NANG, Vietnam – Central Vietnam is on its highest alert this morning, Wednesday, October 22, as Typhoon Fengshen, known locally as Storm No. 12, advances on its coastline. Authorities are issuing dire warnings, stating the primary and most significant threat is not high winds, but a "water bomb" of historic proportions, with forecasts predicting catastrophic rainfall of up to 900mm (approx. 35 inches) in some areas.
The storm is currently tracking towards the key coastal region between Da Nang and Quang Ngai. However, its impact is expected to be felt across a vast swathe of Central Vietnam, from Ha Tinh province down to Quang Ngai.
A Region on the Brink of Historic Flooding
Meteorological agencies are warning that the sheer volume of precipitation could be unprecedented. The forecast of 900mm is a staggering figure, threatening to trigger widespread, severe flash floods, deep urban inundation, and life-threatening landslides in the region's vulnerable mountainous terrain.
The peak danger period is imminent. The most intense and unrelenting rainfall is forecast to begin this afternoon (October 22) and continue battering the region through the entire day on Thursday, October 23.
Emergency Responses Underway as First Impacts Emerge
The situation is escalating rapidly, and local governments are scrambling to enact emergency measures.
Evacuations Ordered: In both Da Nang and Quang Ngai provinces, authorities have initiated urgent emergency evacuations. Hundreds of residents in high-risk zones—particularly those in low-lying areas and at the foot of mountains prone to collapse—are being moved to safety.
City-Wide School Closures: To ensure the safety of children and staff, the municipal government of Da Nang, a major economic hub, has ordered all students across the city to stay home from school today.
First Signs of Flooding: The impending deluge is already making its presence felt. In Da Nang, reports this morning confirm that the Han River, which runs through the city center, has already begun to breach its banks, spilling water onto adjacent roads.
Residents in the affected provinces are being urged to heed all official warnings, follow evacuation orders immediately, and prepare for what is being described as an exceptional and highly dangerous weather event.