According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, at 7 pm on November 6, Typhoon Kalmaegi made landfall in Dak Lak and Gia Lai provinces with sustained winds of 118 to 149km/h, levels 12 to 13, and gusts up to level 15. The storm is expected to move west-northwest at about 30km/h over the next three hours.
The National Civil Defence Steering Committee said that as of 4 pm on November 6, border guards in coastal localities from Thanh Hoa to HCM City had notified and guided 61,475 vessels with more than 291,380 crew members to avoid hazardous areas.
A school in Gia Lai is damaged by violents winds ahead of Typhoon Kalmaegi on November 6.
The Ministry of National Defence ordered units to remain on standby for search and rescue operations.
The Traffic Police Department has temporarily closed the Danang-Quang Ngai Expressway from Km64, Tam Ky, to Km131+500, Quang Ngai, as a precaution. The closure took effect at 6.30 pm on November 6 and will remain in place until further notice.
Authorities in Hoai Nhon Bac Ward in Gia Lai said more than 500 residents living near the Tam Quan coast had been moved to Tam Quan Bac Primary School 2, where food and safe sleeping areas have been arranged.
After more than two hours of battering Nhon Hai fishing village in Gia Lai, the storm left many houses collapsed.
Big waves off Ly Son Island as Typhoon Kalmaegi approaches
Gia Lai has also closed the An Khe Pass on National Highway 19 from 6 pm on November 6 to 8 am on November 7 to ensure safety.
Meanwhile, Dak Lak Province has banned residents in storm-affected areas from going outdoors from 4.30 pm until the typhoon passes, and has deployed police and military forces to maintain order.
