Typhoon shakes northern Vietnam
17:41 04/03/2009

      Typhoon Toraji hit northern Vietnam Thursday evening.

The storm affected coastal provinces and cities stretching from Quang Ninh to Hai Phong.

Though 88km/hr winds were reported in the Gulf of Tonkin, no damages have been reported yet.

The storm was expected to continue moving northwest at 15-20 kph within the next 24 hours.

Heavy rains are expected to continue in the typhoon-hit areas.

The center forecast around four to five typhoons would hit Vietnam this year.

The center also said the country’s storm forecast technology had been improved since last year.

Preparations

The Central Steering Committee for Flood Control and Prevention issued an emergency announcement Thursday instructing state agencies and local authorities from Quang Ninh to Hai Phong to brace for the typhoon.

It told authorities to contact seafaring vessels and ask them to dock in safe, stressing that fishing boats would not be allowed to leave harbor at this time.

The announcement said that while residents in affected areas should remain vigilant against possible landslides, cyclones, and high tidal waves, local authorities would be responsible for evacuating people to safe ground.

The committee highlighted the need to guarantee the safety for miners in Quang Ninh.

River dykes and embankments were ordered to be reinforced .

Rescue task forces must be ready to deal with emergency cases.

The Quang Ninh provincial administration reported late Thursday it had evacuated 27 households in the landslide-prone areas.

Around 2,300 fishing vessels had reportedly anchored at safety docks in Hai Phong.

Source: Thanh Nien, TTXVN, Tien Phong – Compiled by An Dien

Source : thanhniennews.com