The storm's current and predicted path on Thursday. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecast (NCHMF), Typhoon Koinu, a Saffir-Simpson Category 3 typhoon, is heading towards the northern part of the East Sea.

The latest NCHMF report published at 8am on Thursday, said that the storm's centre was located at approximately 22.0 degrees North Latitude and 121.2 degrees East Longitude, over the southeastern waters of Taiwan (China).

The strongest winds near the storm's centre reached level 14 on the Beaufort Scale (150-166 km/h), with gusts up to level 17, moving westward at a speed of about 15 km/h.

NCHMF has predicted the storm will move westwards, and make its second landfall in Guangdong (China) by 1am Sunday.

Due to the impact of the typhoon, the northeastern waters of the East Sea will experience strong winds at levels seven-10 from the night of October 5, and areas near the storm's centre will experience winds at levels 11-12, gusting to level 15, with significant ocean turbulence.

Waves will range about two to four metres, and could be high as six to eight metres near the storm's centre.

As per guidance from the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, due to strong winds and large waves in the northeastern waters of the East Sea, authorities should inform vessels and ships operating in the sea about the storm's developments so that they can proactively take measures to ensure safety.

Additionally, it is imperative that communication be maintained and be prepared with forces and vehicles for rescue operations in case of emergencies.

Experts recommend that fishermen and boat crews should regularly monitor weather forecasts through various information channels and the storm warning system.

Flights rescheduled

The typhoon also prompted airlines to modify flight plans and schedules.

Vietnam Airlines has adjusted its flight schedule to and from Kaohsiung (Taiwan, China) on October 5. They have cancelled the following flights: VN587 from Kaohsiung to Hà Nội and VN581 from Kaohsiung to Hồ Chí Minh City.

On the night of October 5 and the morning of October 6, the corresponding flights will use wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 to serve passengers, according to Vietnam Airlines representatives.

Similarly, Vietjet Air has temporarily suspended the operation of flights VJ885 and VJ886 on the Hồ Chí Minh City-Kaohsiung route and vice versa. Some flights of the airline are also affected by the weather conditions.

The airlines expressed hopes that passengers understand changes to their operational plans due to weather conditions to ensure absolute safety.

They also recommend that passengers who have plans to depart from or arrive at Kaohsiung Airport regularly monitor and update weather conditions and flight information. VNS