According to the national weather service, Goni, the tenth typhoon to hit Vietnam so far this year, is circulating in the north-western area of the East Sea (South China Sea).
At 10 am this morning (November 4), the location of the storm was about 320 km to the southeast of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago with strongest winds of 60-75 kph.
It is forecasted that in the next 12 hours, the storm will move in the southwest direction at a speed of 10 kph.
During the next 24 to 48 hours, the typhoon will move mainly in a southwest direction at a speed of about 10-15 kph, then weaken into a tropical depression before making landfall in central provinces from Quang Ngai to Khanh Hoa.
In a combination with the reported cold air, the storm is forecast to bring strong winds, rough seas and heavy rains to the region from later today. From November 4-6, the region may suffer heavy rains of up to 350 mm.
Ships operating in the sea have been urged to come ashore or move away from the affected areas of the storm, according to a dispatch issued by the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control on November 3.
The Border Guard said that as of November 3, the relevant forces have informed 49,877 vessels with 232,118 people on board about the progress and direction of Storm Goni while instructing them to take active response measures.
On the same day, Phu Yen Province ordered a sea ban from 9 am this morning, while calling on local authorities to urgently review evacuation plans for residential areas in riverside or low-lying areas.
Quang Nam Province acted the same way as it has requested localities in the province to complete the review and evacuation by 11 am today, as well as ensuring food and essential needs at the evacuation place.
At 5 pm on November 3, the three mountainous districts of Son Tay, Minh Long and Son Ha (Quang Ngai Province) completed the evacuation and relocation of people from the areas that have been eroding to safe locations.
Division 324 under the Military Region 4 has sent 250 officers and soldiers to Thanh Chuong District (Nghe An Province) to join other forces and local people in assisting locals overcoming flood consequences.
On the morning of November 3, six fishermen from Hoai Nhon Town, Binh Dinh Province, who suffered an accident while working at sea, were safely rescued to Cam Ranh City, Khanh Hoa Province.
On the same day, Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee sent an urgent message to relevant units, urging for immediate response to the looming Typhoon Goni.
