Tropical storm Conson is moving northwest and is expected to strike coastal areas in northern and north-central provinces tonight, July 17, before becoming tropical depression.

Do Son beach, Hai Phong city on the morning of July 17.

According to the National Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Centre, on the early morning of July 17, the center of the storm was situated at 18.7 0 N latitude and 108.3 E longitude, 280 km south east of the coastal areas of Hai Phong and Nghe An provinces.

The strongest winds near the storm’s centre are expected to be of category 11 and 12 and moving at a speed of 15 km per hour.

The storm will bring high winds, heavy rains and very rough seas to northeastern and north-central provinces in the next 24- 36 hours.

The National Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control has asked local people’s committees to devise plans to ensure safety for dyke systems, move boats to storm shelters and brace themselves for emergencies.

At 4pm, July 17, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh had downpours.

Before storm Conson comes:

Do Son beach 4pm, July 17.

A restaurant in Do Son is preparing to cope with the storm.

Boats have sought shelter at the Do Son fishing port.

The last batch of fish.

Hai Phong people’s preparation before storm Conson comes.

Strong wind on the afternoon of July 17 in Tien Hai district, Thai Binh province.

Many kids still played on the beach of Hai Hau district, Nam Dinh province at 2pm, July 17.

Fishersmen of Hau Loc district, Thanh Hoa province is preparing to challenge the storm.

Fishersmen gather to talk about the first storm in 2010.

Source: VNE