Storm Dianmu on the horizon, continues to gain strength
Storm Dianmu, the third of this year, is forecast to roll into the coast from northern Haiphong city to Ninh Binh province at around 10 am of August 19, with the strongest winds of 75-100km per hour.
At 4 am of the day, the storm’s centre was at 20.4 degrees north latitude and 108.1 degrees east longitude in the north of the Tonkin Gulf, about 180km to the east of the Haiphong-Ninh Binh coast, according to the National Centre of Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
In the next six hours, it will move west at a speed of 15-20km per hour and continue to intensify.
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The eye of Dianmu, by 4pm of August 19, is predicted at 20.4 degrees north latitude and 105.6 degrees east longitude, in northern lowland provinces. It can sustain winds of 60-75km per hour.
It will keep moving westwards at 15-20km per hour in the following 12-24 hours and abate into a tropical depression in Laos.
The forecasting centre said widespread downpours will be recorded across the northern and northern central regions through August 20. A total rainfall of between 200-300mm, even 400mm, can be seen in these areas.
It also warned a high risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, along with inundation in lowland provinces in the regions.
Localities in tropical storm Dianmu’s path have hurriedly made preparations to minimise its damage.
On August 18, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc ordered all meetings at both central and local levels be halted as from August 19 to focus on dealing with the storm to protect people’s lives and assets.
