Powerful Tropical Storm Kujira is moving toward Vietnam’s northeastern Quang Ninh-Hai Phong area after changing course in the Gulf of Tonkin, the national weather agency warned Wednesday. 

The typhoon is forecast to hit the area by this afternoon, June 24, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said.   At 5:00 am this morning, the storm was located 70km southeast of the area between Quang Ninh and Thai Binh Provinces in northeastern Vietnam, with winds reaching 88kph and squalls of up to 149kph. In the six hours leading up to that time, the storm changed direction from north-northwest to west-northwest, then strengthening and slowing down.  Due to the typhoon, the waters of Bach Long Vi Island off Hai Phong City in the Gulf of Tonkin have undergone winds of 103-133kph, while the region from Quang Ninh to Nam Dinh Provinces and north-central provinces have experienced heavy rains. The typhoon continues to move west-northwest at 5-10kph and may strengthen before hitting the mainland, the center warned. At 4:00 pm today, the typhoon will be located in the Quang Ninh-Thai Binh area, packing winds of 60-90kph and squalls of up to 117kph.        After landfall, the storm will continue to move northwest at 10kph and weaken into a tropical depression and then to a low pressure system before dissipating.    Due to the typhoon, the Gulf of Tonkin, including Bach Long Vi, Co To, Van Don and Cat Hai Islands, has been affected by winds of 75-102kph, with gusts of 149kph, since this morning. Meanwhile, the coastal area stretching from Quang Ninh through Hai Phong and Thai Binh to Nam Dinh have had winds of 62-88kph and squalls of up to 133kph. Other localities in the northeastern region have experienced winds as strong as 74kph. During today and Thursday, the northeastern region and north-central provinces will experience medium to heavy rains, while the water levels of the Hong and Thai Binh Rivers will likely rise rapidly, causing flooding.  The northern localities facing a high risk of flash floods and landslides include Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Bac Can, Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Tuyen Quang, and Ha Giang, the center warned.Preparations to cope with the typhoon The People’s Committee of Quang Ninh Province on Tuesday afternoon set up two working teams to inspect the preparations of authorities of several localities where the typhoon is expected to hit, including Mong Cai City, Ha Long City, and the Van Don wharf. More than 8,000 fishing ships, including 300 for offshore fishing, and 460 cruise vessels have taken shelter, provincial authorities said.   Meanwhile, the Hai Phong City Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention & Control and Search & Rescue reported that by 6:00 pm on Tuesday, more than 3,000 ships carrying over 12,000 fishermen had found safe shelter. The city authorities have arranged more than 1,000 automobiles, 532 ships, and many other vehicles and equipment necessary for possible search and rescue activities when the typhoon lands. The provincial Military Headquarters have also mobilized four armored vehicles and 18 high-speed boats to serve search and rescue operations when needed. 

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