Tropical Storm Parma takes aim on Vietnam

Tropical Storm Parma is making its was across the Gulf of Tonkin and will soon be making landfall in north central Vietnam tonight local time. The storm will strike with tropical storm force winds and bring heavy rain to an area that has seen quite a few typhoons this season.

Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region (Taiwan News)

Tropical Storm Parma will trek through the Gulf of Tonkin on Wednesday before making landfall with northern Vietnam, near San Som and Thanh Hoa.

The system will slam across the coast at tropical storm strength with heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and damaging winds. Severe and persistent weather activity will likely translate into areas of flooding near the coast and dangerous surf conditions in the surrounding waters. Residents are urged to take adequate safety precautions against the storm.

Moisture from the system will kick up a few showers and clouds in the southeastern China. After making landfall, Parma will begin to veer to the southwest. The system is expected to dissipated on Thursday.

In addition to concerns regarding the winds and potential for flooding, officials are also concerned about the storm surge risk and have orderd evacuations from coastal areas.

Vietnam Prepares for Parma as Storm to Make Landfall (Bloomberg)

Vietnam’s National Committee for Flood and Storm Control said on its Web site the storm is bringing winds as high as 88 kilometers (55 miles) per hour along with heavy rain as it approaches the coast. These conditions are forecast to remain in effect until about midday tomorrow, it said.

The committee ordered local authorities to evacuate people in areas that may be affected by tidal surge from the northern province of Quang Ninh to Ha Tinh by 7 p.m. local time as the storm is moving toward the coast line at high speed, according to an update posted on the committee’s Web site today. All rescue forces will have to be on stand-by for immediate action when required, the statement said.

In addition, a cold front will be strengthening as it apporaches the area so the region will be wit with storms from two sides as the tropical storm and teh front collide. Flooding in low lying areas and flash floods and landslides in mountainous regions may combine to cause a great deal of destruction.

Viet Nam: Typhoon Parma (No.10) - urgent update (13/10/2009 - 5pm) (Relief Web)

- 12h forecast: Typhoon No.10 moving 10 km/h towards the Vietnamese coast. 14/10/2009, 4am, storm will make landfall and eye of storm will be around coastal line provinces from Quang Ninh to Ha Tinh.

- Cao Bang, Thanh Hoa and Lang Son: heavy rainfall expected from midnight 14/10/2009

- Tide levels at coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Nghe An will reach 3 to 5 meters the more the storm is increasing.

- The cold air front, currently in the North, will be moving towards the South and will get stronger in the Northern provinces during the evening and at midnight.

- The East Northern area and provinces from Thanh Hoa to Quang Binh will suffer from medium to heavy rainfall.

- Be careful with landslides and flash floods in mountainous areas, and flooding in lower lands.

Residents in low lying areas should seek higher ground per official directives. Everyone in areas with high winds and heavy rain need to hunker do0wn to protect themselves from flying debris and ensure that they are on secure land away from rushing water.