Residents are advised to prepare for severe weather conditions including potential flooding and high sea waves.

As Typhoon Prapiroon approaches, its impact is expected to be felt heavily in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong. Currently, the storm has brought strong winds of up to level 7, with gusts reaching level 9, to Bach Long Vi Island. The storm is projected to move northwest, making landfall in the Quang Ninh - Hai Phong region and subsequently causing significant rainfall in the northern provinces and Thanh Hoa.

According to the latest forecast from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as of 10am on July 22, the storm's center is located at approximately 19.8 degrees North latitude and 109.0 degrees East longitude, over the eastern waters of the North Gulf of Tonkin, about 150 kilometers southeast of Bach Long Vi Island.

The strongest winds near the storm's center are reaching levels 9-10 (75-102 km/h), with gusts up to level 12. The storm is moving northwest at a speed of 10-15 km/h.

By 10am on July 23, the storm is expected to be positioned at approximately 21.4 degrees North latitude and 107.7 degrees East longitude, over the coastal land of Quang Ninh - Hai Phong. It is anticipated to weaken upon reaching the Vietnam-China border area by 10pm on July 23, with wind speeds dropping below level 6.

Meteorologists predict that the storm will cause strong winds at sea, with gale force winds of levels 6-7 and gusts up to level 9 in the western part of the North Gulf of Tonkin. In the northern Gulf of Tonkin, including Bach Long Vi and Co To Islands, winds will be between levels 6-7, with the strongest gusts reaching levels 9-10 and up to level 12, accompanied by very rough seas.

On land, from tonight, the coastal areas of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong could experience strong winds of levels 6-7, with gusts up to level 9.

Notably, the storm will also lead to storm surges and large waves. In the western part of the North Gulf of Tonkin, waves could reach heights of 2-4 meters, while in the northern Gulf of Tonkin, including Bach Long Vi and Co To Islands, waves could rise to 2.5-4.5 meters. Coastal areas of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong are expected to see wave heights of 2-3 meters.

Residents in the coastal provinces of Quang Ninh and Nam Dinh should be alert for high tides (expected on the afternoon of July 22-23) combined with storm surges and large waves, which could lead to flooding in low-lying areas and slow drainage in rivers.

Furthermore, from the night of July 22 to July 24, the North and Thanh Hoa regions may experience moderate to heavy rain, with localized areas facing very heavy rainfall. Predicted rainfall totals are 100-200 mm in the northeastern region, with some areas receiving over 300 mm; and 50-100 mm in the northwestern region and Thanh Hoa, with some areas exceeding 200 mm.

Bao Anh