Bad weather strands thousands on Ly Son Island

A strong tropical depression is approaching Quang Ngai Province, preventing up to 2,000 visitors from leaving Ly Son Island on June 3.

A strong tropical depression is approaching Quang Ngai Province, preventing up to 2,000 visitors from leaving Ly Son Island on June 3.

  

A strong tropical depression is approaching Quang Ngai Province

Vice chairwoman of Ly Son People's Committee Pham Thi Huong directed related agencies to quickly support the stranded tourists and prepare boats and ships for when the weather is favourable on June 4.

Since the morning of June 3, strong winds and high waves have occurred as the tropical depression approached. It was forecasted that this tropical depression may strengthen into a storm. Mai Thi Phuong, a visitor from HCM City, said she and her children came to Ly Son Island on June 1 and were supposed to leave on June 3. However, all transport to the mainland was halted.

The local authorities asked hotels and guest house owners to offer discounts if the bad weather continues. Ships were asked to take shelter and banned from leaving the ports.

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Director Hoang Duc Cuong said the meteorological stations in both Japan and China agreed that the tropical depression might develop into a storm on June 5 or 6. Tran Quang Hoai from the Central Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention said the storm appeared would affect popular tourist islands.

The tourists may be stranded on the island for several days.