Storm Matmo to hit Vietnam on October 30

Storm No.5 or Matmo is moving at breakneck speed and may strengthen before hitting the central localities from Quang Ngai to Khanh Hoa tomorrow, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

As of 7 a.m. today, October 30, the storm was spotted some 260 kilometers east of the mainland of central provinces from Binh Dinh to Khanh Hoa, with strong winds measured at level 9, gusting at level 11.

Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. today, October 30, the storm is forecast to move west-northwest at 15-20 kilometers per hour and will possibly strengthen. At 7 p.m., it may be located in central coastal areas from Quang Ngai to Khanh Hoa, with maximum wind speed reaching 90 kilometers per hour, gusting at level 12.

In the next 24 hours, it is predicted to move mostly westward at 15-20 kilometers per hour, making landfall in the area from Quang Ngai to Khanh Hoa provinces before weakening into a tropical depression, and then a tropical low.

The storm may be centered in the east of Cambodia as of 7 a.m. tomorrow.

Due to the impact of the storm, coastal areas from Quang Ngai to Ninh Thuan, including the island district of Ly Son, will likely see gale-force winds up to level 9, gusting at level 12, coupled with high tides and extremely rough seas.

Also, heavy downpours are forecast in the Central and Central Highlands between October 30 and 31, with rainfall measuring 300mm-500mm.

From October 31 to November 2, central provinces stretching from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien-Hue may experience torrential rains, with average rainfall ranging between 200mm and 300mm. The center warned that heavy rains may return to the central localities on November 4 and 5.

In response to the poor weather conditions, authorities in the south-central region chaired urgent meetings yesterday to discuss measures to cope with the storm, including issuing bans on fishing activities and shutting down schools.

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dung also signed an urgent correspondence yesterday, asking the competent forces in the Central and Central Highlands and various ministries to adopt measures to respond to the storm.

They were required to inform fishing boats as well as cargo and tourism ships of the bad weather and instruct them to move to safe shelters. Further, they have to issue bans on marine activities, based on weather developments, and dispatch forces to evacuate residents from vulnerable areas. 

Tropical depression in East Sea likely to become storm in 24 hours

A tropical depression formed in the East Sea is forecast to become a tropical storm in the next 24 hours, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).