Torrential rain whipped up by Tropical Depression 14 triggered major floodingfrom central Vietnam to the island of Hainan, China.The outbursts of rain began last weekend in the middle of Vietnam, where Huegot nearly 30 inches ofrain within three days, and ended Monday.
Over 40 Inches of Rain Inundates Hainan Island, China
By AccuWeather
October 6, 2010 at 7:25PM
The tropical weather system was designated Tropical Depression 14 on Monday asit tracked northward between Vietnam and Hainan. T.D. 14 later made landfall onHainan, where it sparked flooding rain and mudslides.
Flooding rain also pounded Sanya, the southernmost city of Hainan. On theeastern side of the island, Qionghai was swamped by almost 44 inches of rainbetween Sunday and Wednesday. Of this cloudburst, more than 27 inches fellwithin one 24-hour stretch that ended early Wednesday, local time.
Media reports Wednesday showed scenes of flooded streets, homes and shops inhard-hit southern and eastern Hainan.
A girl stands on a boat in frontof her flooded home in central Ha Tinh province Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010. CentralVietnam braced for more rain Tuesday as the death toll from floods rose to 15with 10 others still missing, according to Vietnamese disaster officials andgovernment. (AP Photo/VNA, Cong Tuong)
As of Wednesday morning, Xinhua news service reported that at least 6,000people are stranded in Hainan. A reservoir on the Wanquan River rose tounacceptable level on Tuesday night and had to discharge water, whichcontributed to village flooding.As of Wednesday, Tropical Depression 14 has dissipated, and the threat offurther excessive rainfall on Hainan and in Vietnam has lessened for the timebeing.
Xinhua stated that almost 65,000 people have been evacuated from Hainan.
The effected areas of both Vietnam and Hainan Island normally get heavy,sometimes excessive, rain at this time of year. However, this outburst of rainhas been unusually intense.
Story by Jim Andrews, Senior Meteorologist
