Storm Dianmu on the horizon, continues to gain strength Storm Dianmu on the horizon, continues to gain strength Storm Dianmu, the third of this year, is forecast to roll into the coast from northern Haiphong city to Ninh Binh province at around 10 am of August 19, with the strongest winds of 75-100km per hour. At 4 am of the day, the storm’s centre was at 20.4 degrees north latitude and 108.1 degrees east longitude in the north of the Tonkin Gulf, about 180km to the east of the Haiphong-Ninh Binh coast, according to the National Centre of Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. In the next six hours, it will move west at a speed of 15-20km per hour and continue to intensify. After making landfall, it will continue affecting provinces in the northeastern and north-central regions. The eye of Dianmu, by 4pm of August 19, is predicted at 20.4 degrees north latitude and 105.6 degrees east longitude, in northern lowland provinces. It can sustain winds of 60-75km per hour. It will keep moving westwards at 15-20km per hour in the following 12-24 hours and abate into a tropical depression in Laos. The forecasting centre said widespread downpours will be recorded across the northern and northern central regions through August 20. A total rainfall of between 200-300mm, even 400mm, can be seen in these areas. It also warned a high risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, along with inundation in lowland provinces in the regions. Localities in tropical storm Dianmu’s path have hurriedly made preparations to minimise its damage. On August 18, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc ordered all meetings at both central and local levels be halted as from August 19 to focus on dealing with the storm to protect people’s lives and assets. Quang Ninh braces for tropical storm Dianmu The northern province of Quang Ninh is bracing for storm Dianmu, the third of its kind this year, as it is moving nearer to the mainland, bringing torrential rain. According to the provincial Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue, rain scattered across eight out of the 14 areas in the localities, including six districts in the east and Cam Pha, Halong cities, on August 19 morning. The rainfall was measured at about 100 mm. Human and material losses have yet been confirmed, the committee said. Earlier on August 18, authorities directed nearly 8,100 boats and 534 cruise ships to safety. Fish breeding cages have been reinforced. From August 18-19, the province set up teams to inspect the preparation for the tropical storm. According to the provincial centre of hydro-meteorological forecasting, at 4:00 am on August 19, the tropical storm moved towards the mainland, about 180km off the Haiphong – Ninh Binh coast to the east. In the next six hours, the storm was forecast to move westwards, with a speed of 15-20km per hour. At 1:00 pm of the day, it is anticipated to hit coastal areas from Haiphong to Thanh Hoa province. On August 19 morning, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue directly inspected the preparation for the storm in Quang Yen commune.- VNA