The first tropical storm of the year is expected to bring high winds and rain to northern Vietnam, warns the National Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Centre.
Storm Con Son (named after a well-known historical site in Vietnam), is forecast to be off the coast from Quang Ninh province to Hai Phong City - 21.3 degrees north and 107.9 degrees east - at 1pm on July 17.
Wind gusts of up to 102kmph are likely.
Heavy rain will fall in northern provinces, especially the northern highlands, says the centre.
Provinces such as Ha Giang, Lao Cai and Lang Son have been alerted to possible flash floods and landslides.
The eye of the storm was at 16.5 degrees north and 113.9 degrees east, about 190km from the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago in the East Sea, at 1pm on July 15.
It was expected to generate rough seas in northern waters with waves of between 5-7 metres.
The Border Guard High Command reports that its personnel have been in contact with almost 52,000 vessels and 240,000 fishermen.
But 426 fishermen aboard 33 ships from central Quang Ngai province have not sought safety.
The guards have been unable to contact three vessels from Quang Nam province.
The Central Storm, Flood Prevention and Rescue Board met yesterday and Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Cao Duc Phat ordered the securing of tourist craft and port cranes to avoid serious damage.
The minister also asked Quang Ngai and Quang Nam provinces to do what ever possible to contact the three ships of Quang Nam Province so the crews could find safety.
Border guards were also asked to advise the crews of the 33 vessels working in dangerous seas to sail south or ask China for shelter if necessary.
Conson is expected to travel north-west at between 10-15kmph during the next two days and hit near the border of Viet Nam and China.
But it will weaken to a tropical depression with strongest gusts of up to 61kmph.
About 10-12 storms were forecast to hit the East Sea this year, two to three less than previous years, said the National Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Centre's medium and long-term forecast office meteorologist Tran Thi Chuc.
But the number of storms affecting Viet Nam directly would be higher - 6-7 - against the average 5-6, she said./.
Storm Con Son (named after a well-known historical site in Vietnam), is forecast to be off the coast from Quang Ninh province to Hai Phong City - 21.3 degrees north and 107.9 degrees east - at 1pm on July 17.
Wind gusts of up to 102kmph are likely.
Heavy rain will fall in northern provinces, especially the northern highlands, says the centre.
Provinces such as Ha Giang, Lao Cai and Lang Son have been alerted to possible flash floods and landslides.
The eye of the storm was at 16.5 degrees north and 113.9 degrees east, about 190km from the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago in the East Sea, at 1pm on July 15.
It was expected to generate rough seas in northern waters with waves of between 5-7 metres.
The Border Guard High Command reports that its personnel have been in contact with almost 52,000 vessels and 240,000 fishermen.
But 426 fishermen aboard 33 ships from central Quang Ngai province have not sought safety.
The guards have been unable to contact three vessels from Quang Nam province.
The Central Storm, Flood Prevention and Rescue Board met yesterday and Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Cao Duc Phat ordered the securing of tourist craft and port cranes to avoid serious damage.
The minister also asked Quang Ngai and Quang Nam provinces to do what ever possible to contact the three ships of Quang Nam Province so the crews could find safety.
Border guards were also asked to advise the crews of the 33 vessels working in dangerous seas to sail south or ask China for shelter if necessary.
Conson is expected to travel north-west at between 10-15kmph during the next two days and hit near the border of Viet Nam and China.
But it will weaken to a tropical depression with strongest gusts of up to 61kmph.
About 10-12 storms were forecast to hit the East Sea this year, two to three less than previous years, said the National Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Centre's medium and long-term forecast office meteorologist Tran Thi Chuc.
But the number of storms affecting Viet Nam directly would be higher - 6-7 - against the average 5-6, she said./.
