Around 370,000 residents are being prepared for evacuation in advance of Storm Noru, which is expected to be one of the worst storms to hit Vietnam in the last 20 years.
The storm entered the East Sea on Monday and as of 4am, Noru was 810 kilometers east of the Hoàng Sa Archipelago with winds of 118–149 km/h. The storm will make landfall from Thừa Thiên Huế to Quảng Ngãi in the early hours of September 28 with winds of 89–102 km/hr.
Beginning Tuesday afternoon, central provinces and parts of the Central Highlands will receive 150–300 millimeters of rain along with strong gusts of wind and thunder. Tumultuous conditions along the central coast will include waves of 8–10 meters in height. As it moves westwards, it will weaken into a tropical depression with inclement weather in the region on its way out of the country on September 29.
On Monday morning, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính ordered local and national agencies to prepare for the storm's arrival. Dams and reservoirs must be secured, boats sheltered, aquatic farm operations protected and individuals who live in areas prone to rockslides evacuated. About 868,000 people from 214,000 households are being instructed to move to safer locations while 57,800 vessels, including 739 out at sea, are told to relocate. More than one million students in the area have been instructed to stay home in response to the storm. Healthcare services are being prepped in advance.
Storm Noru made landfall in the Philippines on Sunday, September 25; five rescue workers passed away in its aftermath. More casualties are feared as major flooding persists along with the potential for landslides. Known locally as Typhoon Karding, it slammed into the nation with 240 km/h winds. It is the fourth storm to enter the East Sea this year.
[Top image via VietnamNet]
