 Forces in Quang Ninh province support fishermen in response to the typhoon. (Photo: Truong Giang/VOV-Northeast) |
The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that at 5 a.m. on Sunday, the eye of typhoon Matmo was located about 110 km east-northeast of Hainan Island (China). It is forecast that by 4 p.m. the same day, it will move over to the western part of the Leizhou Peninsula (China), about 250 km east-southeast of Vietnam’s Quang Ninh province with wind speeds of 118–133 km/h, possibly reaching 167–183 km/h.
By Monday morning, the typhoon is forecast to be near the coast of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong, with wind speeds decreasing to 75–88 km/h. The affected areas include the northwestern waters of the northern East Sea, the northern Gulf of Tonkin, and coastal areas from Quang Ninh to Hung Yen.
In response to the unpredictable developments of typhoon Matmo, Quang Ninh province has implemented a series of preventive measures. From 8 a.m. Sunday, all vessels were banned from departure; fishing and mooring activities at sea must be completed before noon, and evacuation of residents from unsafe areas was required to finish by 4 p.m. More than 13,000 people have been mobilized for storm prevention efforts.
 The leaders of Hai Phong hold a meeting on measures to brace for typhoon Matmo. (Photo: Thanh Nga/VOV) |
In Hai Phong city, the Civil Defense Command has issued a ban on all tourist boats, fishing vessels, and coastal entertainment activities since 5 p.m. Saturday. It has urged ships and people on aquaculture farms to move to safe shelter. The city’s Border Guard Command is ready to deploy ships and rescue equipment when needed.
On Saturday, the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army ordered military units to assist local authorities and residents in harvesting seafood and crops, reinforcing houses, and evacuating people from unsafe areas. The Navy and Coast Guard are on standby for search and rescue missions at sea and on islands, while the Air Defense–Air Force and Corps 18 are prepared for aerial rescue operations if required.