Typhoon Molave packing hurricane-force winds is approaching central Viet Nam, and it is expected to hit Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh by noon on Wednesday, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) latest warnings.

Storm Molave tracking map (Source: NCHMF)

At 6 am on Wednesday, 28 October, Molave’s eye was located at near latitude 14°7’N and longitude 110°0’E, 240km from Da Nang, 175km from Quang Nam, 140km from Quang Ngai, 190km from Phu Yen, packing the  maximum wind levels of 12 - 13, and a gust of level 16.

At that time, Molave-sparked strong winds were measured at level 9, and a gust of 11 in Ly Son Island off Quang Ngai Province.

Molave continues moving the west – northwest at a velocity of 20kph - 25kph.

At 1 pm on Wednesday, Molave will sweep across Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, and North Central Highlands with maxium sustainable winds of level 9 (75-90 kph), a gale of level 12.

After whipping across Central Viet Nam, Molave is then likely to weaken into a tropical depression. At 4am on 29 October, the depression could hit eastern Thailand, with the wind intensity falling to only level 6, and a gust of level 8.

Molave is expected to be the strongest and deadliest storm to hit Viet Nam in two decades.

As of 6 am on Wednesday, two fishing boats hailing from Binh Dinh Province have sunk at sea due to the typhoon’s intensity.

Da Nang residents taking shelter in a school located in Nai Hien Dong Ward, Son Tra District

Functional forces from Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District helping to take people with disabilities to the safety prior to the typhoon’s arrival

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung delivering instructions at an urgent meeting on Tuesday evening to prepare for typhoon Molave

In Da Nang, more than 90,100 people in Da Nang’s at-risk locations have been evacuated to safety, according to Da Nang Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, and Search and Rescue.

Three task forces for emergency response to storm Molave have been established in Da Nang, while district-level authorities are also urged to set up their local response forces.

All members of Da Nang Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control are only allowed to go out to perform their duty and rescue people as ordered by the authorised officials.

By HOANG HIEP – Translated by A.T