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The storm is moving west-southwest at 25 kph, and should be located over Laos at 1 a.m. Friday, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. Winds have strengthened since earlier this morning.
Strong winds have already been reported in parts of Quang Tri, Ha Tinh, and Quang Binh since Thursday morning, while Thua Thien-Hue and Da Nang have been experiencing rainfall since Wednesday night, with precipitation levels reaching 310 mm in some areas.
"The weather patterns associated with storm Soulik will bring heavy downpours to central Vietnam, southern parts of northern Vietnam, the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam," Mai Van Khiem, the center's director said. "There are high risks of flooding and landslides, particularly in the western mountains, regions like Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Ha Tinh and Nghe An."
By 10 p.m., Soulik is expected to weaken into a tropical depression.
In Quang Tri, skies turned overcast by noon, accompanied by rising tides and strong winds. Heavy rains have persisted since Wednesday night and continued through Thursday morning.
Residents of My Thuy Village have moved their boats to higher ground and fortified their homes. Dozens of coastal vendors have secured their goods and taken refuge in shelters. A local fisherman expressed that while the storm’s wind speeds are not alarming, there is significant concern about potential flooding.
High tides at coastal communes of Hai An Beach, Quang Tri Province have flooded certain areas and prompted fishermen to bring vessels to safer locations. Video by VnExpress/Vo Thanh
The Huong Lap border guard station reported water overflowing dykes and flooding some neighborhoods. Slight erosion has been noted in the Cup Village relocation area, prompting authorities to evacuate four families comprising 15 people from vulnerable zones.
In Quang Binh, home to the world's largest cave Son Doong, water levels in several streams and rivers in Minh Hoa District have risen by up to 1 meter, halting vehicle traffic. Border guards have worked with local authorities to place warning signs and advise residents against crossing dangerous areas.
Border guard stations at Ca Xeng and Don Ra Mai have coordinated with authorities to evacuate 105 families, totaling over 500 people, from flood- and erosion-prone communes.
In addition to evacuation efforts, border guards have been deployed to assist residents in reinforcing their homes and monitoring areas at risk of flooding and landslides.
Quang Nam, home to Hoi An ancient town, has seen sunny weather on Thursday, but overnight rains triggered landslides in parts of Nam Tra My District. Tran Van Man, the district’s vice chairman, said around 1,400 personnel, including soldiers, police officers, and volunteers, have been mobilized for storm response efforts.
The district has stockpiled 300,000 kg of rice, 1,200 boxes of instant noodles and other essential supplies in local storage facilities, convenience stores and homes. Authorities have identified 39 neighborhoods at risk of landslides, and over 5,000 people are expected to be evacuated.
"[Wednesday] night’s downpours caused rocks and debris to enter 17 homes, and 51 families were evacuated," Man said.
Border guards have also issued directions to 67,000 vessels carrying 306,000 people on how to avoid the storm’s path as of 6:30 a.m.
Soulik is the fourth typhoon to hit the South China Sea this year. The previous storm, Yagi, made landfall in Quang Ninh in northern Vietnam on Sept. 7, leaving 298 dead and 35 missing, with economic losses totaling around VND50 trillion ($2 billion).
