Gov't chief demands high readiness to brace for superstorm Yagi

Pham asked leaders of Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Hoa Binh, Ha Noi, Ha Nam, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Bac Ninh, and Bac Giang to cancel unurgent meetings, mobilize their subbordinate authorities' involvement in preparatory work.

The local leaders need to direct the review and deployment of measures to ensure the safety of vessels in the Gulf of Tonkin, evacuate all residents away from dangerous areas.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha was entrusted to direct ministries and localities to respond to the superstorm, and to handle the consequences.

As of 9 a.m. on September 5, the storm's eye was located in the northern East Sea, with winds at levels 15-16 and gusts above level 17. The storm was moving westward at about 10 kilometers per hour.

By 10 a.m., Yagi had strengthened into a level-16 superstorm and is expected to maintain its intensity as it approaches the eastern coast of Hainan Island (China). It is moving at 10-15 km per hour in a west-northwest direction.

By 7a.m on September 6, the superstorm's eye was about 160km southeast of China's Hainan Island. It is moving westward at the speed of15-20km per hour, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

By 10 a.m. on September 6, Yagi was about 45km southeast of Hainan Island and 485km southeast of Viet Nam's Quang Ninh province, with wind speed at level 16. In the following three hours, the superstorm will move west-northwest at 15-20km per hour./.