Typhoon Rammasun makes landfall in Quang Ninh   Typhoon Rammasun caused gales and heavy rain, and toppled trees in Quang Ninh Mong Cai's district. Photo: VNA Typhoon Rammasun made its landfall in Quang Ninh province in the noon of July 19, causing whirlwind and heavy rain in a number of Vietnam’s northern localities. Strongest wind power recorded in the eye of the typhoon, which was in the north of Quang Ninh, was up to 102 kilometres per hour. About 109mm rainfall was also seen in Mong Cai district. Torrential rains have hit many cities and provinces in the northern region. Rainfalls of more than 100mm blanket the northern provinces of Thai Nguyen, Vinh Phuc, Lang Son and Ha Giang. In the next 24 hours, the storm will continue its direction between northwest and west-northwest along northern mountainous provinces at a speed of 20 kilometres per hour before weakening into a tropical low pressure, according to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting. The centre also warned of flash floods and landslides in northern mountainous provinces, including Cao Bang, Bac Kan , Lang Son, Ha Giang and Lao Cai. Emergency measures to cope with typhoon Rammasun were ready in northern and coastal localities by the night of July 18. Nearly 200,000 residents had been evacuated from high-risk areas in coastal localities in the north. In Quang Ninh alone, more than 27,000 people were moved to safe places before the storm approached. Nearly 9,000 fishing boats and 464 tourist ships have moved to safe shelters, while almost all tourists have been called ashore. On July 18, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai visited Quang Ninh and Hai Phong city to inspect preparations for the storm. He urged Hai Phong leaders to raise their sense of responsibility and caution, stressing that if any districts suffered heavy damages from the storm, local leaders would be held responsible. Currently, a Hai Phong strong force of 39,000 people, including soldiers and border guards, as well as a large number of vehicles, are standing ready to reinforce dykes and perform rescue tasks. A report from the National Steering Committee on Flood and Storm Prevention and Control said that a total of 73,395 fishing vessels from northern Quang Ninh province to central Khanh Hoa province had been told about the storm's arrival. It added that 1,914 deep-sea fishing boats had sought refuge in coastal ports. Hoang Van Thang, acting deputy chief of the committee, on July 18 told ministries and authorised agencies to inspect reservoirs, and reinforce dykes. All rescue teams were asked to be ready for any emergencies, he said. Minister of Public Security, General Tran Dai Quang also assigned police to join hands with relevant agencies in coping with the storm. Due to bad weather on July 19, many domestic flights were cancelled. The VietJet Air carrier called off all of its flight to Hai Phong and Da Lat, while changing the schedule of other 30 flights.-VNA