Tropical storm Koto has killed three people and left one missing in Vietnam, worsening floods that have already caused billions in damage this year.
HANOI: Tropical storm Koto has killed at least three people and left another missing as it approaches Vietnam’s flood-ravaged central coast.
Authorities ordered boats to shore and diverted dozens of flights as the storm whipped up huge waves and dangerous winds.
Two vessels sank in the rough seas, including a fishing boat in Khanh Hoa province and a smaller raft in Lam Dong, according to the environment ministry.
Koto was more than 300 kilometres offshore on Sunday morning after being downgraded from a typhoon to a tropical storm.
Vietnam’s weather bureau said the storm was moving slowly and expected to weaken further before reaching the coast next week.
The bureau forecast rains of up to 150 millimetres from Tuesday to Wednesday in regions still recovering from historic floods.
Heavy rains have lashed Vietnam’s middle belt in recent weeks, flooding historic sites and popular holiday destinations.
Natural disasters have left more than 400 people dead or missing in Vietnam this year, causing more than USD 3 billion in damage.
Koto is the 15th storm to hit Vietnam in 2025, exceeding the country’s typical annual average of 10 typhoons or storms.
Scientists have identified a pattern of human-driven climate change making extreme weather more frequent and destructive in the region.
