VietNamNet Bridge - After making landfall, the tropical depression weakened into a low pressure area and faded. However, storm Haiyan, which is said to be the strongest typhoon in the recent ten years, is heading into the East Sea.

According to the bulletin released at 5:30 am on November 7 of the National Center for Meteorological Forecast, at 11pm yesterday, the tropical depression was on the mainland of the central provinces of Khanh Hoa and Binh Thuan, with the strongest winds in the center of level 6 (below 39 km/h). It then moved westward then weakened and gradually faded.

Due to the influence of the tropical depression, the central, southern central highlands and southern provinces will have rains today.

Meanwhile, at 4am on November 7, the storm Haiyan was about 780 km to the east of Mindanao Island (the Philippines), with the strongest winds in the center up to level 17 (202-221 km/h).

It is forecasted that in the next 24 hours, the super storm will move rapidly in the direction between west and west northwest at about 30 km/h. By 4am on 8/11, its center will be located on the southeast coast of the Philippines and the strongest winds will be maintained at level 17.

By 4am on 9/11, the storm eye will be about 600 kilometers east northeast of Vietnam’s Song Tu Tay Island (Truong Sa Islands) with winds at level 14-15 (150-183 km/h). After that, it will continue to move faster to the direction between west and west northwest at about 30-35km/h.

Due to the impact of the storm Haiyan, from the night of 8/11, the eastern area of East Sea will have strong winds of levels 9-10, then increasing to levels 12-13 and up to levels 14-15 in the center.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat on November 7 chaired an urgent meeting of the Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control to respond to storm Haiyan.

The steering committee asked localities to keep a close watch on vessels operating in dangerous zones, directing them back to shore safely.

Coastal provinces are taking preventive measures to ensure safety for people’s lives and minimize property losses during and after the storm.

According to the steering committee, no information has been released so far about damage caused by the tropical depression after it hit the mainland.

By 6 am on November 7, border guard and local residents have directed more than 85 vehicles to move out of the danger zone and informed them about the position and developments of the storm to prepare for any possible emergencies.

M. Lan