Vietnam braces for Typhoon Sarika as flood toll rises to 31
HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnam is bracing for Typhoon Sarika as the death toll from flooding in the central part of the country triggered by heavy rains rose to 31.
The typhoon with sustained winds of 165 kph (103 mph) and gusts of up to 200 kph (124 mph) is moving toward northern Vietnam at 15 kilometres per hour (9 miles per hour), the national weather forecast centre said Tuesday.
It warned that heavy rains are expected Tuesday night and Wednesday in the northeast of the country.
The government has urged ships and vessels to stay away from the typhoon path in the South China Sea and take shelter. It also urged local authorities to prepare to evacuate people from high-risk areas.