Tropical Storm Sinlaku causes heavy rains from Thanh Hoa to Quang Binh

Sinlaku evolved from a tropical depression on August 1. It is the second storm to have entered the East Sea since the beginning of the year.

As of 10am on August 2, Sinlaku’s eye was about 19.4 degrees north latitude and 106.1 degrees east longitude, right in the coastal waters from Thai Binh to Nghe An Province, packing winds of 60-75 kph (level 8), with gusts at level 10.

It is forecast that in the next 12 hours, the storm will keep moving west-northwest at a speed of 15km per hour and make landfall in provinces from Ninh Binh to Nghe An before weakening into a tropical depression.

As of 10pm on Sunday, the tropical depression will be centred 20 degrees north latitude and 104.5 degrees east longitude, at the Vietnam-Laos border area, with the strongest winds near its eye falling to below 40 kph (below level 6).

For the following 12-24 hours, the tropical depression will continue to move on the same path at a speed of 15 kph, going further inland and devolving into a low pressure area in the Upper Laos region.

The danger zone in the East Sea in the next 24 hours will be 17 degrees north latitude and 110 degrees east longitude. All boats operating in the middle and southern regions of the East Sea, including the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago waters, are at high risk of being affected by gusts and tornadoes. Cyclones, lightning and strong winds are likely to occur on the mainland of northern and north-central provinces.

* Due to the impact of the storm on some northern localities, national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has announced the suspension of 27 flights to or from Tho Xuan Airport (Thanh Hoa) and Vinh Airport (Nghe An) on August 2 to ensure safety of passengers.

The airline decided to delay 12 flights scheduled on the routes of Thanh Hoa – Buon Ma Thuot (Dak Lak) / Da Lat (Lam Dong) / Ho Chi Minh City, while cancelling 15 others on the routes from Vinh – Hanoi / Da Lat / Ho Chi Minh City.

For those affected by flight cancelations, the airline will arrange extra seats on its August 3 flights once the weather conditions allow.

* To ensure safety for ships and tourists, the Quang Ninh Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Preparedness, Search and Rescue on August 1 asked the Provincial Department of Transport, the Quang Ninh Inland Waterway Port Authority and People’s Committees of coastal localities to suspend the licensing of waterway vehicles out to sea and halt the licensing of ships to travel and stay overnight at tourist attractions at sea.

* From 6pm on August 1, all inland waterway transportation activities and entertainment activities on the sea, island and riverside areas in Hai Phong City must cease operations under a sea ban issued by the Hai Phong Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Preparedness, Search and Rescue to ensure safety as Tropical Storm Sinlaku heads to the mainland.

Municipal leaders on Saturday inspected and encouraged the storm prevention and control work in the districts of Cat Hai, Duong Kinh, Do Son and Kien Thuy, asking the localities to urge boats operating offshore to seek safe shelter.