HCMC – Storm Mulan at level 8-9 (62-88kph) is predicted to make landfall on the Gulf of Tonkin and the nation’s northeastern provinces on August 10 evening, bringing heavy rains and strong winds.
Storm Mulan, the second to threaten Vietnam this year, was spotted east of Hainan Island (China), some 480km to the southeast of Mong Cai (Quang Ninh), at 8 a.m. on August 10.
Reportedly, the storm this afternoon was at level 8-9, packing winds of 62-88kph gusting at level 11, which is likely to be the strongest intensity of the storm, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
Storm Mulan would change direction and pass through the area between Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island (China), then make landfall over the Gulf of Tonkin, directly affecting the northeast region of Vietnam tonight and tomorrow.
When it enters the Gulf of Tonkin, the storm might weaken and finally devolve back into a tropical depression.
On Wednesday and Thursday, the northern region and north central provinces should expect a rainfall between 100 and 200 mm, with certain areas recording rain levels of up to 250 mm.
The north of the East Sea, the Gulf of Tonkin, and coastal areas in the north would have strong winds of levels 6-7, gusting to level 9, with 4-6m high waves and rough seas, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
There are high risks of flash floods and landslides in the mountainous provinces.
On the morning of August 10, the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control held a meeting to respond to and brace for the storm.
Deputy Chief of the Office Nguyen Van Tien urged the relevant ministries and localities to monitor ships on the sea and maintain contact with the owners to promptly handle bad situations that may occur. They were required to strictly manage the sea vehicles, guide them to take shelter, and ensure fire safety and security.
Currently, some 400,000 people, including more than 50,000 soldiers and more than 360,000 militiamen, have been mobilized for storm prevention and rescue purposes.
According to Colonel Nguyen Dinh Hung, head of the Search and Rescue Department, provincial border guards have guided 52,249 ships with 228,960 people to take shelter from the storm. There are currently no ships operating in the danger zone.
