Storm Noul casualties in hardest-hit Thua Thien-Hue rise 4-fold

The provincial Committee on Natural Disasters Prevention, Search and Rescue earlier put the number of injured at 23. In addition, a local resident was killed at the height of the storm.

Noul slammed into the central coast of Vietnam September 18, causing rough seas and heavy rain in coastal and mountainous areas.

Thua Thien-Hue is the hardest locality, with more than 21,000 houses and public works collapsing or having roofs blown off, increasing more than 10-fold compared to initial estimates of 1,660.

The storm destroyed 1,130ha of forests and 300ha of orchards in many communes. Big tidal waves also eroded the provincial coast, penetrating the mainland from 5 to 10m.

The storm also brought down nearly 200 electric poles, causing extensive blackouts and affecting more than 280,000 customers in the province.

Elsewhere, rising floodwaters and landslides killed three in Quang Nam, Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces.

Local authorities have mobilized forces to deal with the aftermath of the storm.