Heavy rain caused by storm Etau has turned many streets in Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province, into rivers (Photo: VOV)

Etau left at least two local residents dead and many parts of the region submerged, according to the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control. Dozens of houses were damaged or had their roofs torn apart, reported the committee. Etau also caused widespread power outages in three provinces of Binh Dinh, Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa, affecting more than 250,000 customers.

Heavy downpours triggered water levels in the region’s major rivers such as Bo, Huong, Vu Gia, Thu Bon to rise to the third alert level.

The National Centre of Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warned about severe flooding and landslides in low-lying, coastal and mountainous areas of provinces from Thua Thien-Hue to Khanh Hoa, and Central Highland provinces.

Meanwhile, tropical storm Vamco has formed off the Philippines’ Luzon island and is likely to enter the East Sea and affect central Vietnam in the coming days. The new storm was packing winds of between 100-115kph at around 1am on Wednesday and is forecast to gain strength with winds gusting 135kph on Friday when it is heading towards Vietnam’s coast the following day. Fishermen were required to stay ashore and keep a close watch on the movement of Vamco to avoid possible damage.