Storm Goni changes course ahead of landfall

Storm Goni is expected to make landfall in South-Central Vietnam, from Quang Ngai to Khanh Hoa provinces.(Photo: VNDMS)

At 07.00am November 3, Goni was located approximately 400km South-East of the Hoang Sa archipelago, packing winds of 70kph near its eye, the National Centre of Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported.

In the next 48 hours, the storm is forecast to travel West and South-West at speeds of 10-15kph, weaken into a tropical low depression and make landfall in provinces from Quang Ngai to Khanh Hoa.

On November 2, Goni was expected to batter Da Nang and Quang Nam instead of Quang Ngai and Khanh Hoa as in the November 3 update.

Regional weather forecast centres reported Goni is likely to slam into the south-central region, including Binh Dinh and Phu Yen.

Goni developed from a tropical low depression off the Philippines several days ago and quickly strengthened into a super typhoon, becoming the most powerful storm on earth this year.

The super typhoon swept through the Philippines on November 1, leaving nearly 20 people dead and affecting millions of local residents.

The super typhoon then entered the East Sea, continuously lost its strength and changed its course before heading towards Vietnam.

Four tropical storms hit central Vietnam in October alone, causing subsequent flashfloods and landslides in many localities. The natural disasters have so far left more than 200 people dead and dozens missing.

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