Storm changes path, five reported dead

VGP – The powerful typhoon, Haiyan, is now moving along the central coast to the North of Viet Nam at 30kph, instead of slamming into the central region, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

November 10, 2013 2:55 PM GMT+7

At 1PM on November 10, the center of the storm was about 270km East of the central coast.

Due to the impacts of the storm, heavy rain was recorded in central provinces from Ha Tinh to Binh Dinh.

According to the Viet Nam News Agency, five people who took part in storm-prevention efforts have been reported dead. The deaths include two in Quang Nam, two in Quang Ngai and one in Thua Thien Hue.

The national news agency reported that 13 provinces and cities from Thai Binh to Phu Yen prepared plans to evacuate 858,579 people to safer places.

In the next 48 hours, it is forecast that the storm would weaken to a low pressure but competent authorities warned of torrential rains in Northern provinces./.

By Ngoc Van