The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said that at 10 am on September 24, the storm was about 570 kilometres east of Quang Ninh Province, with maximum sustained winds of 183 kilometres per hour, level 15, and gusts above level 17. It was moving west-northwest at 20 kilometres per hour. Over the past six hours the storm has weakened by one level and is expected to weaken further due to friction with land and the influence of dry air moving southwards.
After passing Leizhou Peninsula and entering the Gulf of Tonkin tonight, by 10 am on September 25, the storm is forecast to reach the coast of Quang Ninh and Haiphong with maximum winds of level 10.
Speaking to the press on September 24, Dao Minh Dong, chairman of Bach Long Vi Special Zone, said the local administration had issued storm preparedness notices and directed agencies to mobilise maximum resources and equipment for typhoon response.
“Checks show 126 vessels are currently operating, with 98 anchored safely in harbour and 28 fishing and cargo boats still at sea near Bach Long Vi,” Dong said. “We are continuing to urge all vessels to return to safe shelters, manage those docked in harbour and prepare to evacuate residents from vulnerable areas.”
Meanwhile, leaders of Cat Hai Special Zone reported that 699 vessels with 1,513 workers were operating in surrounding waters. Of these, 565 vessels with 1,119 workers had already taken shelter, while 134 vessels with 326 workers were still at sea.
The Cat Hai administration is carrying out storm preparedness plans, evacuating residents, calling boats to safe shelters and ensuring the safety of tourists.
As of midday September 24, there were still 1,835 tourists on Cat Ba Island, including 1,581 foreign visitors.
Cat Hai authorities said 150 households with 361 residents would be evacuated to the homes of relatives, neighbours, public offices, schools, medical centres and cultural houses before the storm makes landfall.
