Alert: Typhoon Nesat heads towards Vietnam after battering the Philippines

After smashing the capital of Manila with waist-deep flood and severe damage and leaving behind at least 16 dead, the typhoon is going to hit the north of Vietnam from the northern east. Currently, Typhoon Nesat is in the grip of tropical Depression Haitang and with the wind speed of 149kph on average, Nesat is forecast to land in Vietnam in the next two days and Hanoi is highly expected to endure direct impact of the disaster.

Nesat is considered to be the strongest storm for years in Vietnam with the scope of effect equivalent to fatal typhoon Xangsane that hit intensely Da Nang in 2006. Nevertheless, wind speeds are likely to fall to 135kph, tantamount to these of a grade 12 hurricane. More terribly, there is an anticipation that strong monsoon winds slash at Vietnam at the same time with the deadly Nesat. Yet, if the monsoon reaches Vietnam first, the impact of Nesat will wind down.

Local government officers have started to evacuate residents from low-lying areas and warn fishing vessels off venturing out to the sea.

For foreign visitors, it is advisable to delay your trip to Vietnam Northeast region until the next week as the typhoon is certain to cause cancellation to many tours in the north and incoming flooding will discourage the most spirited travellers.