Storm Nongfa weakens after hitting Vietnam’s Ha Tinh-Quang Tri

At 4:00 pm on Saturday, Nongfa’s center was over Ha Tinh-Quang Tri, with winds at level 6-7 (39-61 kph), gusting at level 9 (75-88 kph).

It is expected to continue moving west-northwest at 20 kph, weakening into a low-pressure area in central Laos by early Sunday morning.

Strong winds and gusts between level 6 and level 9 were recorded across coastal areas in northern and central Vietnam, including Bach Long Vi in Hai Phong City, Co To in Quang Ninh Province, Hon Ngu in Nghe An Province, and Con Co in Quang Tri.

Heavy rainfall has already lashed provinces and cities from Nghe An to Da Nang, with localized totals exceeding 300 mm.

Due to the impact of the tropical depression, level-9 gusts, waves of 2-4 meters, and rough seas may create dangerous conditions for passenger and fishing vessels, fish cages, and aquaculture farms.

On land, wind gusts of level 7-8 (50-74 kph) will possibly hit Nghe An to Quang Tri.

From Saturday night through Sunday, Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh may see 100-180 mm of rain, with some areas exceeding 300 mm.

Northern delta provinces and Quang Tri may receive 40-100 mm, locally over 200 mm.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed an urgent directive on Saturday, ordering provinces and cities from Thanh Hoa to Hue to evacuate residents from vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas, reinforce sea dikes, and prepare for flash floods and landslides.

Authorities were told to strictly prohibit people from staying on fishing boats, aquaculture cages, or watch huts during the storm.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade was tasked with ensuring the safety of hydropower dams, power supply systems, and key infrastructure.

The state-owned Vietnam Electricity was urged to secure hydropower reservoirs, transmission lines, and be ready to restore power quickly to affected regions.