Officials said that although the storm is not expected to make direct landfall in Quang Ninh, it could still cause dangerous weather conditions offshore. From 11 am on September 8, local authorities stopped issuing departure permits for vessels deemed unsafe and suspended sightseeing and overnight cruise activities. The ban will remain in effect until the final storm advisory is issued.
The affected areas include Co To, Van Don, and coastal parts of Tien Yen, Dam Ha, Hai Ha, and Mong Cai.
According to meteorological reports, at 4 am on September 8 the storm’s centre was located over the northwestern part of the northern East Sea with maximum sustained winds of 89-117 kilometres per hour, gusting up to 149 kilometres per hour. The typhoon intensified by nearly three levels in just over a day.
Forecasters said Tapah is moving west-northwest at 20-25 kilometres per hour and is expected to make landfall in Guangdong Province, China, later this morning before weakening over land. By the evening of September 8, it is likely to downgrade to a tropical depression and then into a low-pressure area over Guangxi Province by early September 9.
