Thousands evacuated as super typhoon Noru approaches central localities
Many central coastal provinces are preparing to evacuate hundreds of thousands of residents as super typhoon Noru is entering the East Sea and heading toward the region.
Authorities in Quang Ngai Province evacuate over 84,000 residents from vulnerable areas
Noru, which developed from a low tropical depression off the coast of the Philippines on September 22, was upgraded to super typhoon status early on September 25 after suddenly gaining strength.
Noru battered the northern Philippines on September 25 and has entered the East Sea. After sweeping across Luzon Island, the storm slightly weakened with winds gusting 166kph near its eye.
It is forecasted to maintain this level before striking the central coast of Vietnam at midnight on September 27 or early on the morning of September 28.
The National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control held an urgent meeting on the afternoon of September 25 to prepare for the super typhoon.
According to the committee, Danang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh will likely be hardest hit by the typhoon.
Meanwhile, the committee also issued a disaster risk warning for Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Phu Yen, and Kon Tum provinces.
Authorities of provinces from Quang Binh to Binh Thuan have drawn up evacuation plans for 868,230 residents living in vulnerable areas. Provinces from Thua Thien Hue to Quang Ngai which are expected to bear the brunt of the super typhoon have also issued plans to evacuate a total of 368,878 local residents. Schools in Quang Nam and Quang Ngai will be closed from September 27.
Public service and local people are racing against time to reinforce fishing cages, public works, workshops, warehouses and coastal construction projects before Noru makes landfall.
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