Powerful Tropical Storm Kujira is moving toward Viet Nam’s northeastern Quang Ninh-Hai Phong area after changing course in the Gulf of Tonkin, the national weather agency warned Wednesday. The typhoon is forecast to hit the area by this afternoon, June 24, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said.

At 5:00 am this morning, the storm was located 70km southeast of the area between Quang Ninh and Thai Binh Provinces in northeastern Viet Nam, with winds reaching 88kph and squalls of up to 149kph.

In the six hours leading up to that time, the storm changed direction from north-northwest to west-northwest, then strengthening and slowing down.

The expected path of Typhoon Kujira that is forecast to hit northeastern Viet Nam on June 24, 2015

The typhoon continues to move west-northwest at 5-10kph and may strengthen before hitting the mainland, the center warned.

At 4:00 pm today, the typhoon will be located in the Quang Ninh-Thai Binh area, packing winds of 60-90kph and squalls of up to 117kph.

After landfall, the storm will continue to move northwest at 10kph and weaken into a tropical depression and then to a low pressure system before dissipating. 

Due to the typhoon, the Gulf of Tonkin, including Bach Long Vi, Co To, Van Don and Cat Hai Islands, has been affected by winds of 75-102kph, with gusts of 149kph, since this morning.

Meanwhile, the coastal area stretching from Quang Ninh through Hai Phong and Thai Binh to Nam Dinh have had winds of 62-88kph and squalls of up to 133kph.

Other localities in the northeastern region have experienced winds as strong as 74kph.

During today and Thursday, the northeastern region and north-central provinces will experience medium to heavy rains, while the water levels of the Hong and Thai Binh Rivers will likely rise rapidly, causing flooding.

The northern localities facing a high risk of flash floods and landslides include Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Bac Can, Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Tuyen Quang, and Ha Giang, the center warned.

(Source: Tuoitrenews)