>>> Vietnam braced for tropical storm Usagi
According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF), Usagi – the ninth storm to hit the East Sea this year, has tended to move south. At 7am this morning, the hurricane centre was located at approximately 9.8 degrees latitude and 109.5 degrees longitude, roughly 100km from Phu Quy island, 190km from Phan Thiet, 240km from Vung Tau, and 300km from Ben Tre.
It is forecast that, in the next 12 hours, the typhoon will move westwards at a speed of 10-15km per hour. By 7pm this evening, the storm centre will be on the sea of the provinces from Binh Thuan to Ben Tre, with the strongest wind from 75-100 km per hour.
In the next 12 to 24 hours, the storm will maintain the same speed and direction to hit the mainland provinces from Ninh Thuan to Ben Tre and then weaken into a low tropical pressure. By 4am on November 25, the tropical low pressure centre will be at around 10.6 degrees latitude and 107.3 degrees longitude, with winds blowing at 50-60 km/hour.
Due to the impact of the storm, Ho Chi Minh City is forecast to be hit by heavy rains from 200-250mm and strong winds from this afternoon. From now until November 26, provinces from Thua Thien-Hue to Binh Thuan, the southern part of the Central Highlands and the Southeast will suffer from heavy rains from 300-500mm. Meanwhile, southern coastal localities are suffering from rough seas with 3-5m high waves near the coast.
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Most boats of fishermen in Ninh Thuan and other neighbouring provinces have safely anchored in Ninh Chu fishing port in Ninh Hai district. (Photo: NDO/Nguyen Trung)
Localities within the affected range of Usagi have been instructed to take urgent measures to brace for the strong typhoon. On November 23, the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control urged localities and the authorities concerned to pay attention to areas vulnerable to landslides and prepare to address incidents related to sea dykes in order to ensure safety for locals.
According to the Border Guard High Command, information on the storm and guidance were provided for 64,137 ships with 330,712 people on board, so that they can move to safer areas.
HCM City sent an urgent message to its departments to ban vessels from operating on the sea and coastal areas, while preparing plans to evacuate locals in Can Gio district if the storm shows any signs of complexity.
Khanh Hoa province banned fishing activities, cruise ships and other waterway vehicles from November 23. VinpearLand cable car also suspended operation since 2pm yesterday until the end of the storm.
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Strong winds hit coastal areas in Phu Yen province. (Photo: NDO/Trinh Ke)
Binh Dinh province has called for vessels to anchor at shelters at Quy Nhon fishing port. The local authorities have been contacting and instructing fishermen to move out of the danger zone.
Ninh Thuan also banned all activities on the sea since 10am yesterday and asked the authorities of coastal localities to coordinate with the provincial Border Guards to urgently call on local vessels to head to safety.
Phu Quy island (Binh Thuan) is in the path of storm Usagi. On November 23, the Binh Thuan provincial People's Committee issued an emergency call to instruct the local agencies and people to strengthen their houses and cut down trees, while arranging anchorage for boats and cages for aquaculture at sea.
Ba Ria - Vung Tau province prohibited all means of ships to operate at sea and allowed students to be off from schools from November 24.
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Boats moored in Phu Quy island district (Binh Thuan province) pulled up to shore to avoid damage from typhoon Usagi. (Photo: NDO/Duc Tin)
Lam Dong province has ordered emergency response against the storm in the area and requested the local units to inspect and take measures to ensure the safety of local canals, reservoirs and irrigation works.
The Southern Electricity Corporation asked its relevant units to prepare plans to handle all incidents that may occur to ensure electricity supply and safety for electricity equipment and works and ensure the safety for the people.
