Typhoon Haiyan to make landfall in Vietnam, new tropical threat for Philippines

After claiming more than 1 200 lives in Philippines, Haiyan is about to make landfall in Vietnam as a strong typhoon system. A wide spread area of Vietnam will likely see typhoon strength winds, heavy rainfall and the threat of storm surge. Landfall is expected between Hue and Hanoi during the early hours of November 10, 2013.

Typhoon Krosa and Tropical Storm 30W have already soaked Vietnam in the past week so any additional heavy rainfall from Haiyan will lead to flooding and mudslides. Maximum rainfall amount of 75-150 mm (3-6 inches) is expected across northern Vietnam and southern China.

Typhoon Haiyan in South China Sea captured by Aqua/MODIS satellite at 05:55 UTC on November 9, 2013 (Credit: LANCE Rapid Response/MODIS)

GDACS estimates up to 22.2 million people people can be affected by wind speeds of cyclone strength or above. In addition, 4.8 million people people are living in coastal areas below 5 m and can therefore be affected by storm surge.

METEOSAT-7 Infrared satellite imagery taken at 18:00 UTC on November 9, 2013 (Credit: NOAA/UW-CIMSS)

According to latest report by Joint typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), the center of Typhoon Haiyan was located approximately 182 nm east of Da Nang, Vietnam. The system is moving west-northwestward at 20 knots (37 km/h, 23 mph). Maximum sustained winds are 90 knots (166 km/h, 103 mph) with gusts up to 110 knots (204 km/h, 127 mph).

Typhoon Haiyan forecast track (Source: JTWC)

Meanwhile, new tropical low pressure system spinning north of Papua New Guinea is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm, bringing heavy rain to the same areas left devastated across the Philippines by Haiyan. The system should reach the east-central Philippines early on November 13. Heavy rain could trigger new flash floods and mudslides.

Satellite Animations

• Storm-Centered Infrared (MTSAT; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Infrared (Aviation Color Enhancement) (MTSAT; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Water Vapor (MTSAT; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Visible (MTSAT; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Visible (Colorized) (MTSAT; NOAA/SSD)

• South China Sea/West Pacific Infrared (MTSAT2; NOAA)
• South China Sea/West Pacific Enhanced Infrared (MTSAT2; NOAA)
• South China Sea/West Pacific Water Vapor (MTSAT2; NOAA)

Featured image: MODIS satellite image of Typhoon Hainan approaching Vietnam coast on November 09, 2013 (Credit: LANCE Rapid Response/MODIS/Worldview)