Typhoon Yagi keeps gathering force, heads towards Northern Vietnam

Typhoon Yagi is expected to make landfall across northern Vietnam on September 7-8

At 4a.m. on September 5, Yagi was churning through the northern part of the East Sea, about 550km east of China’s Hainan Island, packing winds of 183kph near its centre.

In the next 24 hours, it is forecast to move west at a speed of 10kph and keep gathering force into a super typhoon.

Yagi is anticipated to lose its strength a bit when it moves into the Gulf of Tonkin at between 15-20kph on September 7 and batter the northern coast of Vietnam one day later.

According to meteorologists, Yagi will be the most powerful storm to pound the Northern region of Vietnam in the past 10 years, with intensity comparable to Typhoon Kalmaegi in 2014 and Typhoon Mirinae in 2016.

Coastal localities such as Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh and Nam Dinh will be put on alert due to strong winds and high tidal surges caused by Yagi.

Localities in the Northern and North-Central regions are likely to experience a spell of heavy rain, with total rainfall expected to range from 100 to 300 mm. Some areas are even set to potentially receive over 500 mm of rain.

Meteorologists warned people to take immediate precautions against the typhoon, by reinforcing their homes, protecting property, and staying ready to evacuate if instructed by authorities.