HANOI: Vietnam plans to evacuate more than 250,000 residents from coastal areas on Sunday ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Bualoi, which is expected to lash the country’s steel-producing central belt.
The storm — the 10th to affect Vietnam this year — is currently at sea generating winds of 130 kilometers per hour and is expected to make landfall at 7:00 p.m. (12:00 GMT), according to the meteorology agency.
Central Vietnam’s largest city Danang plans evacuate more than 210,000 residents, state media reported, while more than 32,000 residents of Hue living near coastal areas are also set to be moved to safer areas.
More than 15,000 residents in Ha Tinh — known as a key steel production hub — have been slated for evacuation to schools and medical centers converted into temporary shelters, authorities said.
Nearly 117,000 military personnel have been mobilized. Four domestic airports were shut and all fishing boats in the typhoon’s path have been called back to harbor.
