Strongest winds of118-133 km per hour were recorded in Hai Phong city’s Bach Long Viisland and Quang Ninh province’s Co To island. Meanwhile, coastallocalities from Hai Phong to Nam Dinh were also affected.
The centre forecast that in the next 6-12 hours, Kalmaegi, the thirdtropical storm so far this year, will move fast west-northwestwards witha speed of 30 km per hour.
In the following 12-24hours, the typhoon will continue its west-northwestern direction,entering deeply the mainland and then weakening to a tropical lowpressure.
It is predicted to reach upper Laos’mountains at about 4:00 pm on September 17, packing winds of below 39 kmper hour.
In response to the typhoon, the PrimeMinister on September 16 requested local authorities, ministries andagencies evacuate residents in low-lying areas, and help vessels anchorin safety.
After sweeping out of thePhilippines, Kalmaegi headed towards Hong Kong, bringing strong windsand rain that caused flight disruptions and forced the closure of thestock market and container ports.
In the morning of September 16, the storm made landfall in China’s Hainan island province.-VNA