Hanoi (VNA)– Talim, the first storm to hit Vietnam this year, was about 140km east-southeast of Mong Cai, the northernprovince of Quang Ninh, with a velocity of 89-117km per hour as of 4am on July18, reported National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
Thecentre forecast that by around 4am on July 19, the storm will move in awest-northwest direction at a speed of some 20-25 km per hour. Whilemoving further inland, it will gradually weaken.
Thecapital city of Hanoi will experience moderate and heavy rains, with thunderstormsin several areas.
To prepare against thestorm, the northern port city of Hai Phong hascome up with flood prevention plans for over 29,100ha of riceand 5,500ha of vegetables. It has also prepared over 1,200 vehicles, 285 boats and canoes, 43,000 cu.m of gavel and 1,500 tonnes offood, and others.

About 9,000residents in high-risk areas had been evacuated before 7am on July 18.
Authorities of thenorthern province of Ha Nam also sent a dispatch to heads of departments andagencies, chairpersons of the People’s Committees of districts and towns, theprovincial Steering Committee for Natural DisasterPrevention and Control and Search and Rescue, and directors of companies operating in irrigation, urbanenvironment and electricity, asking them to focus on preparedness against thestorm./.