Vietnam: Tropical Storm Prapiroon tracking northwestward over Quang Ninh Province early July 23 following landfall /update 5

Tropical Storm Prapiroon is tracking northwestward over Quang Ninh Province in Vietnam early July 23 following landfall over the province earlier in the day. The storm previously made landfall near Wanning City, Hainan Province, China, early July 22 before passing over Hainan Island. As of 10:00 ICT, the system's center of circulation is approximately 185 km (115 miles) east-northeast of Hanoi, Vietnam.

Forecast models indicate that the weather system will weaken as it tracks northwestward over eastern Quang Ninh and into far western Guanxi Region in China, close to the border with eastern Lang Son Province in Vietnam, July 23. The system is forecast to weaken further into a depression as it turns to track westward over central Lang Son Province through July 24 before dissipating as it tracks southeastward into Bac Giang Province early July 25. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and changes could occur in the coming days.

Vietnam's National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) has warned of rainfall totals of 7-15 cm (3-6 inches) over the northeastern region and Thanh Hoa Province through July 24 and rainfall totals of 5-10 cm (2-4 inches) over the northwestern region and Nghe An Province through early July 25. Strong winds are expected in the coastal areas of Quang Ninh Province, and rough seas are likely along the Gulf of Tonkin coast. Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories depending on the progression of the storm system.

Authorities in the Guangxi Region evacuated more than 26,000 tourists from Weizhou Island ahead of the storm's approach, with ferry services to and from the island suspended July 22-23. Ferry services have also been suspended in the Qiongzhou Strait. Officials also suspended high-speed rail services across Hainan Island and urban rail services in the city of Haikou July 21-22. Port and rail services in Hainan have started to resume operations during the afternoon of July 22 as the storm moves away from the island. Initial reports indicate the storm felled several trees that blocked roads as it passed over Hainan, but there have been no reports of casualties or major damage.

In Vietnam, authorities in Quang Ninh Province have suspended permits for vessels to go offshore and banned overnight tourist stays at offshore islands from July 22; thousands of tourists have been evacuated from island locations ahead of the storm's approach. River ferries and other inland waterway transport services have also been suspended in Quang Ning. Officials in Nam Dinh and Thai Binh provinces have enforced a suspension of all sea activities from July 22. Classes in Hai Phong City are suspended July 23.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and those with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. If weather conditions prove hazardous, localized evacuations, flash flooding, and landslides are possible.

Inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions, rendering some bridges or roadways impassable. Flight disruptions at airports and temporary port closures are also possible. Stagnant pools of water during and after flooding increase insect- and waterborne diseases, such as dengue fever, cholera, and malaria. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters poses a serious health threat.