Khanun to threaten flooding in northern Vietnam

Tropical Depression Khanun will take aim at southernmost China and flood-ravaged northern Vietnam into Tuesday.

Khanun crossed the northern tip of the Philippines Thursday night, local time, with heavy rainfall and gusty winds and has since emerged over the South China Sea.

Khanun's strength reached the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane across the South China Sea on Sunday, local time. Khanun has since weakened, but still remains a danger to lives and property.

"Heavy rainfall is expected along the path of the storm with flash flooding and mudslides," AccuWeather Meteorologist Adam Douty said. "Wind damage is likely as well near the center of the storm as it crossed the Leizhou Peninsula and northern Hainan."

While Khanun will continue to weaken before moving into northern Vietnam, it threatens to exacerbate the flood disaster that unfolded earlier this week in the wake of Tropical Depression 23W.

The path of Khanun into northern Vietnam will bring rain to similar parts of Vietnam that had excessive rain from Tropical Depression 23W. Rainfall over the same areas that were inundated by the recent depression could trigger new flooding and mudslides, putting more lives and property in extreme danger.

Flooding and landslides have killed dozens of people in northern and central Vietnam with more than 300 homes collapsed. More than 34,000 homes were either submerged or damaged.

Rivers that are already putting a strain on area dams are expected to further rise when Khanun moves through the region. Raging water or mudslides could also damage roads and bridges.

Residents should prepare for possible evacuations and be sure to heed any such orders that get issued.

After making its final landfall, flooding downpours may continue to accompany Khanun as it fizzles over northern Vietnam and southern China into Tuesday.

Nearly a month has passed since a typhoon last roamed the waters of the western Pacific Ocean, and this typhoon is only the beginning of what will be another active stretch.

"The western Pacific Ocean should be quite active over the next two to perhaps three weeks," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls said.

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