The movement direction of storm Talim. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has issued a warning that Storm Talim, the first storm to hit Việt Nam this year, could bring prolonged heavy rainfall, leading to an increased risk of landslides and floods, particularly in the northern mountainous areas.

"Following consecutive days of scorching heat, heavy rain has increased the risk of flash floods and landslides in the northern provinces, especially in Lạng Sơn, Cao Bằng, Hà Giang, Lào Cai, and Yên Bái. There is a high risk of flooding in the low-lying areas of the northern mountainous provinces and urban areas in Quảng Ninh, Hải Phòng, Cao Bằng, Lạng Sơn, and Thái Nguyên," the centre’s director Mai Văn Khiêm emphasised.

Khiêm delivered the warning during an online meeting with 27 cities and provinces in response to Storm Talim in Hà Nội on Monday. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang, who was also head of the National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control and Chairman of the National Committee for Natural Disaster Response and Search and Rescue.

Khiêm stated that this was the strongest storm to affect northern Việt Nam in the past three years. The storm was forecast to cause widespread heavy rain in the northern region and the central province of Thanh Hóa from July 18-22.

The total rainfall was expected to reach 300-500mm and exceed 700mm in some areas. The north central region would experience rainfall but with lower amounts.

Khiêm noted that there would be a high risk of flooding in small rivers and streams in Quảng Ninh, Lạng Sơn, and Cao Bằng. There would be a risk of landslides in Quảng Ninh, Lạng Sơn, Cao Bằng, Hà Giang, Lào Cai, and Yên Bái.

"Based on our assessment, Quảng Ninh has about 166 locations that could cause flash floods and landslides, Lạng Sơn 114 locations, Cao Bằng 54 locations, Bắc Kạn 307 locations, Hà Giang 88 locations, Tuyên Quang 92 locations, Lào Cai 207 locations, and Yên Bái 335 locations," he said.

Storm Talim was forecast to directly impact mainland Việt Nam this morning and afternoon. The most affected areas would include Quảng Ninh, Hải Phòng, and Thái Bình with wind speed of 75-88km per hour, and inland areas experiencing wind speed of 62-74km per hour. The most dangerous period of strong winds on land was expected to occur this afternoon.

He also noted the possibility of Talim changing its direction, shifting southward and expanding its influence on the northern part of the Red River Delta and the central province of Thanh Hóa. Although this scenario has a low probability, it still needs to be taken into consideration.

Khiêm mentioned that the entire system of meteorological and hydrological monitoring stations, especially the coastal weather radars in the affected areas of Storm Talim, was operating stably and ready to enhance observations to serve the forecasting of the storm.

Cô Tô border guards were urging fishing boats to return to land. — VNA/VNS Photo

The Border Guard Command reported that as of 6am on Monday, 52,188 vessels and 226,183 people were informed about the developments of the storm. Currently, there were no vessels in the hazardous area.

In the areas from Quảng Ninh to Nghệ An, there were 553 vessels and inland waterway vehicles operating, and these vehicles received information about the storm.

As of 6.00pm on Saturday, there were still 17,414 tourists staying on the islands in Quảng Ninh and Hải Phòng.

The provinces of Quảng Ninh, Thái Bình, and Nam Định implemented a sea travel ban from 12.00pm on Monday, while Hải Phòng implemented it from 9.00pm on Monday.

Other localities would continue to monitor the situation of the typhoon to make appropriate decisions based on the actual conditions.

The coastal provinces from Quảng Ninh to Ninh Bình plan to evacuate approximately 29,887 people.

Deputy Chairman of Quảng Ninh Province's People's Committee Vũ Văn Diện said Quảng Ninh has mobilised over 1,000 people ready to respond to Storm Talim.

Diện added that more than 6,000 boats, including 231 offshore fishing vessels, had sheltered in safe areas.

The province has controlled and ensured the safety of 14,000 aquaculture cages.

Currently, there were around 4,000 tourists in Quảng Ninh who would be brought back to the mainland before the storm made landfall, he said.

Deputy Chairman of the People's Committee of Hải Phòng City Nguyễn Đức Thọ said all 1,731 vessels have reached safe places.

On Bạch Long Vĩ Island, there were 27 vehicles in shelters and eight operating vessels within a range of one to five nautical miles.

Regarding Cát Bà Island, there were 45 tourist boats operating within the enclosed bay, and 156 fish farming cages under control.

Hải Phòng currently has 9,600 visitors. The city has encouraged tourists to return to the mainland. Those who wished to stay would be provided with food and safe accommodation, he said.

Deputy PM Trần Lưu Quang delivers a speech at an online meeting with 27 cities and provinces in response to Storm Talim in Hà Nội on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo

During the meeting, Deputy PM Quang requested the Steering Committee and localities to effectively implement Official Dispatch No.646/CĐ-TTg to respond to Storm Talim.

The National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control and localities should be proactive, flexible, and well-prepared to minimise human casualties and property damage, he said. VNS