The move of storm Bolaven (Source: nchmf.gov.vn)Hanoi (VNA) – Storm Bolavenhas weakened into a tropical pressure system after moving into the waters westof Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago on early January 4, according to theNational Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.
At 4am on January 4, thetropical pressure system’s centre was at 11.7 degrees north latitude and 111.8degrees east longitude, about 300km from the shore of south central provincesof Phu Yen and Ninh Thuan provinces.
The strongest wind near thesystem’s centre was about 40-60 km per hour.
It is forecast to move west inthe next 12 hours, and then likely to change direction to west-southwest at aspeed of 20 km per hour, further weakening into a low pressure system.
By 4pm on January 4, the lowpressure system is forecast to be at 11.3 degrees north latitude and 109.3degrees east longitude, in the waters of provinces from Ninh Thuan southwardsto Ben Tre.
Strong rain and wind areforecast for the western area in the middle of the East Sea, including thenorthwest area of Truong Sa archipelago.
Central Highlands and Southernlocalities have been directed to take measures to cope with the storm.
They have been asked to monitorthe movements of storm, thus warning owners of ships operating offshore,advising them to seek safe harbours. They were also required to check thesafety of dyke systems and infrastructure works in coastal areas.
Last year a record 16 storms andsix tropical depressions formed in the East Sea, of which five storms and threetropical depressions directly hit Vietnam.
Two of the storms were severe:storm No. 10 (Doksuri) struck the north central region in mid-September andstorm No. 12 (Damrey) hit the south central region in November.
Damrey is the heaviest storm inthe last 30 years. After nine hours raging the south central provinces of PhuYen and Khanh Hoa at 133km per hour, the storm killed 44 people, damaged114,000 houses in Khanh Hoa province and caused landslides.
The storm circulation and coldair led to heavy downpours from Thua Thien–Hue province to Binh Thuan provinceas well as in the Central Highlands, affecting the lives of 4.3 million people.The total loss caused by Damrey was estimated at 22,680 billion VND (1 billionUSD).-VNA
VNA
