Typhoon Melor on early December 16 entered the East Sea to become the fifth storm hitting Vietnam so far this year, after traversing the central Philippines, said the National Centre for Hydrometereological Forecasting.

At 8am, typhoon Melor’s centre was about 680km east-northeast of Song Tu Tay island of Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago. Wind speed near the centre was up to 105-135 km per hour.

It is forecast to move southwest at a speed of 5-10 km per hour in the next 24 hours.

By 7am of December 17, its centre will be 510 km east-northeast of Song Tu Tay island with a maximum wind speed near the centre of about 60-90 km per hour. It is predicted to bring strong winds, 3m to 5m high waves and rough seas in the eastern part of the East Sea.

On December 17, the tropical storm is forecast to move southwest at a speed of 25 km per hour, heading to Truong Sa archipelago. By 7am on December 18, its centre is likely to hit Truong Sa archipelago with a maximum wind speed near the centre will be about 60-75 km per hour.

The Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control on December 15 asked authorities of coastal localities from central Da Nang city to southern Ca Mau province, and relevant ministries to brace for tropical storm Melor.

According to the Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, typhoon Melor that swept through the central Philippines on December 15 killed at least three and leaving millions without power.

The tropical storm uprooted trees and cut off electricity supply in at least seven central provinces.

It brushed the Bicol peninsula – home to 5.4 million people – on the night of December 14 before slamming into the Romblon island the next morning.

Typhoon Melor approaches East Sea

About 37,000 fishing vessels with 166,000 fishermen from the coastal central region have noticed the approach of tropical storm Melor, which is moving towards the East Sea.

The Central and Central Highlands Flood and Storm Prevention Centre said all fishing vessels in Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh and Phu Yen, besides Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan knew about the storm forecast and warnings, and were moving to safer areas.

The centre said 4,479 vessels and more than 32,000 fishermen were fishing in the sea off Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago and Hoang Sa (Paracel).

The Binh Dinh provincial centre for disaster prevention, search and rescue centre had asked the ministry of foreign affairs to contact the Philippines about getting permission for the docking of two fishing vessels.

About 10mm of rainfall was measured in provinces extending from Quang Binh to Binh Dinh between Tuesday and today .

There has been little change in the water levels of the rivers flowing from Quang Binh to Ninh Thuan.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the tropical storm was forecast to be 530km to the east-northeast of Song Tu Tay Island – in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago of Viet Nam –by 1am on Thursday, with wind force of grade 10 or 11 (90km to 110km per hour), and gales of grade 12 or 13 (150km per hour). 

Vietnam's provinces prepare for typhoon Melor

The Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control on December 15 asked authorities of coastal localities from central Da Nang city to southern Ca Mau province, and relevant ministries to brace for tropical storm Melor.

The typhoon's course.

In a notice sent to its sub-committees in these localities and other ministries, the Steering Committee said the storm was centred at 13.2 degrees north latitude and 121.2 degrees east longitude in the central Philippines at 4 pm on December 15.

The storm is forecast to enter the East Sea on the night of December 15 after traversing the central Philippines.

At 13 pm on December 16, the storm will be spotted at about 13.1 degrees north latitude and 119.3 degrees east longitude, about 570 km east-northeast of Song Tu Tay island of Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

The Steering Committee asked the localities and the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, National Defence, Transport and Foreign Affairs to keep a close watch on the typhoon’s course.

They were requested to steer ships operating at sea to escape from or not to enter dangerous areas, which will cross from the 15th to 5th parallel in the next 72 hours, while informing locals and soldiers on Truong Sa’s islands to take countermeasures.

The committee also called for the close management over vessels going out to sea and regular contact with them, as well as the readiness of relief forces and equipment.

According to the Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, typhoon Melor that swept through the central Philippines on December 15 killed at least three and leaving millions without power.

The tropical storm uprooted trees and cut off electricity supply in at least seven central provinces.

Melor brushed the Bicol peninsula – home to 5.4 million people – on the night of December 14 before slamming into the Romblon island the next morning.

VNA/VNS