Quang Ninh Province and Haiphong City are urgently making preparations to deal with storm No. 5, Nesat.
 |
| Storm No. 5 moves towards the northern coast |
Le Khac Nam, Vice Chairman of Haiphong People’s Committee, said, the city had urged local agencies to take damage mitigation measures, calling on all sea vessels to head for safe places.
By late September 28, more than 4,500 ships at sea off Haiphong were informed impending storm. The municipal armed forces have organised a force of nearly 31,900 people, along with materials and equipment to shore up dykes and protect other key places. These preparations must be completed before 10:00 a.m on September 30.
Quang Ninh Province’s Board for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control-Search and Rescue has said it will monitor areas at high risk of landslide, and prepare teams and materials to deal with the possible effects of the storm.
Provincial authorities took special precautions to protect tourists at Ha Long Bay by ordering cruise operators to move their boats to shelter.
The Nesat typhoon is forecast to be centred around Quang Ninh, Haiphong, Thai Binh and Nam Dinh.
After causing 18 deaths in the Philippines, Nesat is moving fast towards China’s Hinan Island and will cause heavy rains in northern Vietnam, according to information from National Centre Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
The centre also said that from early morning of September 30, coastal areas from Quang Ninh to Thanh Hoa would have strong winds that could reach level 8. Areas near the storm\'s centre could see wind gusts up to level 12. Central and north-central area are expected to experience heavy rain, while the mountainous areas may see landslides.
According to Central Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Centre, storm No. 4, Haitang, killed four and injuried four others in Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue and Phu Yen provinces.
Over 5,160 hectares of rice and crops were flooded and 128 houses were damaged in Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue, the board said.
