Typhoon Haiyan is continuing its movement northward and is expected to make landfall by 10 PM tonight, or at the latest, between 3-4 AM tomorrow, hitting the provinces of Hai Phong, Thai Binh, and Quang Ninh.
This afternoon, Mr. Bui Minh Tang, Director of the Central Meteorological and Hydrological Forecast Center, stated that instead of making landfall in the North Central provinces and southern Red River Delta, new information indicates that the storm will directly hit the Northern coastal areas. The North Central provinces are currently considered safe from the storm.
Projected path of Typhoon Haiyan in the update released at 5:30 PM today by the Central Meteorological and Hydrological Forecast Center
According to Mr. Tang, the Meteorological Center has consulted forecasts from various global centers, but there is still no consensus among them.
Japan predicts the storm will make landfall around midnight on November 11, with the landfall point between Ha Tinh and Thai Binh, after which the storm will weaken and move towards the mountainous region of Viet Bac. The storm’s center is expected to dissipate over the mountainous areas of Bac Kan and Tuyen Quang.
Broadcasts from Hong Kong, China, and the United States suggest that the storm will come ashore between Hai Phong and Quang Ninh, then sweep through part of Quang Ninh before weakening as it moves into China.
“We assess that the storm is likely to make landfall between Thai Binh and Hai Phong, then move into the provinces of Bac Giang, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh, and subsequently change direction northward through Quang Ninh and into China,” Mr. Tang stated.
Border guards calling fishermen to bring boats to safety from the storm on Co To Island, Quang Ninh. (Photo: Ninh Hang)
The Northern coastal areas from Ninh Binh to Quang Ninh will experience winds exceeding 74 km/h. The storm’s center in Thai Binh, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh will see winds reaching 102 km/h.
Inland provinces such as Hung Yen, Bac Giang, Lang Son, and even Hanoi will experience winds around 49 km/h, with no significant threats to the inland provinces.
Regarding rainfall, Mr. Tang mentioned that due to the storm’s movement at a relatively high latitude, rain in the Central Central region to Quang Binh will not be heavy; from Ha Tinh to Thanh Hoa, winds are present but not dangerous.
The entire Northern region, except for the western areas of Dien Bien and Lai Chau, will see little to no rain. Other localities will experience rain, with warnings of heavy rainfall in the Northern Delta, coastal provinces, and some northern mountainous areas, where rainfall could reach 200-300 mm in some locations.
At 7 PM, the streets of Ha Long, Quang Ninh are experiencing rain. (Photo: Dang Ninh)
Hai Phong: The Do Son area has begun to experience heavy rain, with waves crashing against the dyke. The Chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee, Duong Anh Dien, has ordered all forces to be on standby for the storm. More than 4,000 vessels with nearly 13,000 workers have returned to safe harbors. Any vessels attempting to go out to sea will be forcibly stopped and fined.
The city has directed border guards and police to evacuate workers from clam-shack areas in Cat Hai and Trang Cat to the mainland. At 3 PM, all ferry operations were halted, and tourist boats from Hai Phong to Cat Ba were also banned starting at 3 PM, with the return trip from Cat Ba to Hai Phong stopping before 5 PM. The city has also devised a plan to evacuate more than 46,000 residents in districts, prioritizing evacuation to secure high-rise buildings such as schools and cultural centers.
Border guards assisting residents of Cat Hai Island district in evacuating from dangerous areas. (Photo: Hoang Thuy)
The city’s Military Command reported that over 1,500 soldiers have been mobilized and are ready to respond, especially in vulnerable areas of Do Son, Hoang Chau dyke, Trang Cat, and Vinh Quang… Rescue vessels will anchor in critical areas (Phu Long – Cat Hai) to be prepared for rescue operations.
Quang Ninh is experiencing light rain, and winds are starting to pick up. The sky is overcast. Mr. Hoang Cong Dang, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that the Department has dispatched teams to inspect flood and storm prevention efforts in various communes, particularly concerning sea dykes and landslide-prone areas.
By this afternoon, all vessels have been safely anchored. Residents of floating houses in Ha Long, Cam Pha, and Van Don have been brought to the mainland to avoid the storm. “Currently, the tide has receded, so even if heavy rain occurs, it will not be too concerning. The Department also has plans for flood evacuation from all rivers, lakes, and dams in the area.”
Thai Binh: By this evening, wind speeds recorded are not too high, with light scattered rain. Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Le Van Thang stated: “The storm is moving quickly and has a complex development, so we are continuously monitoring to ensure a proactive response.”
According to Mr. Thang, by the afternoon of November 10, 100% of vessels have been safely anchored, and evacuation efforts have been completed. Fearing residents might return to coastal aquaculture areas due to receding tides, the province has directed police, border guards, and local militia to monitor and check these areas.
Water levels in the interior areas of Thai Binh are currently very low, with riverbeds exposed, which is advantageous for local drainage efforts. The Department is also prepared to open river gates if heavy rainfall occurs.
Hanoi will not experience severe flooding
According to previous scenarios, when the storm moves into Central Vietnam and weakens in Laos, heavy rain was expected in Hanoi and the Northern region. However, with the latest scenario, rain in Hanoi may only reach around 100 mm tonight and early tomorrow morning.
“With the anticipated rainfall spread over approximately 12 hours or a little longer, Hanoi should not be of great concern. However, if concentrated within 1-2 hours, it may cause localized flooding. Nonetheless, I believe flooding in Hanoi may not be severe or might only disrupt traffic,” Mr. Tang stated.
This morning, after moving southward into the Gulf of Tonkin, the storm shifted northwestward, slowing down to approximately 25-30 km/h, and its intensity has also decreased to around Category 13. The storm’s center is currently located at the latitude between Ha Tinh and southern Nghe An (Ben Thuy), about 200 km off the coast of the North Central provinces and approximately 250-300 km from the coastal provinces in the North.
Residents of Thanh Hoa hurriedly building dikes to protect against the storm on the afternoon of November 10. (Photo: Le Hoang)
This evening, the storm is moving quickly towards the coastline of the eastern provinces of Northern Vietnam, with an expected landfall in the provinces of Hai Phong, Thai Binh, and Quang Ninh at this moment.
