Typhoon Melor entered the East Sea on early December 16 (Photo:VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Typhoon Melor on early December 16 entered the East Sea to become the fifth storm hitting Vietnam so far this year, after traversing the central Philippines, said the National Centre for Hydrometereological Forecasting.
At 8am, typhoon Melor’s centre was about 680km east-northeast of Song Tu Tay island of Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago. Wind speed near the centre was up to 105-135 km per hour.
It is forecast to move southwest at a speed of 5-10 km per hour in the next 24 hours.
By 7am of December 17, its centre will be 510 km east-northeast of Song Tu Tay island with a maximum wind speed near the centre of about 60-90 km per hour. It is predicted to bring strong winds, 3m to 5m high waves and rough seas in the eastern part of the East Sea.
On December 17, the tropical storm is forecast to move southwest at a speed of 25 km per hour, heading to Truong Sa archipelago. By 7am on December 18, its centre is likely to hit Truong Sa archipelago with a maximum wind speed near the centre will be about 60-75 km per hour.
The Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control on December 15 asked authorities of coastal localities from central Da Nang city to southern Ca Mau province, and relevant ministries to brace for tropical storm Melor.
According to the Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, typhoon Melor that swept through the central Philippines on December 15 killed at least three and leaving millions without power.
The tropical storm uprooted trees and cut off electricity supply in at least seven central provinces.
It brushed the Bicol peninsula – home to 5.4 million people – on the night of December 14 before slamming into the Romblon island the next morning.-VNA
