HANOI, 30 August 2019: Tropical Storm Podul is heading towards Vietnam and is expected to make landfall in the northern part near Dong Hoi City early Friday morning.
Asian Trails Vietnam issued a travel advisory to its business partners and guests Thursday evening warning them that Dong Hoi, the gateway city to the tourist area of Phong Nha / Ke Bang National Park, home of the worlds biggest cave, lies in the path of the storm
In the alert, the tour operator said tours in the area would be impacted especially overnight cruises in Halong Bay that have been suspended until the weather clears.
The suspension of Halong bay cruises started on the evening of 29 August and continues until authorities signal the all clear.
Tour operators are offering clients alternative tours in areas that will not be impacted by the tropical storm.
Meanwhile, the Thai Meteorological Department issued a tropical storm warning Thursday evening saying Tropical Storm “PoduL” category 3 moved to within 300 km of the northeast of Dong Hoi, Vietnam or at latitude 17.6 degrees north, longitude 109.4 degrees east having maximum sustained wind of 80 km/hr.
At a speed of about 25 km/hr, it is moving westward and expected to make landfall over upper Vietnam by tomorrow 30 August 2019.
The storm is forecast to downgrade to a tropical depression and move to Laos and the upper Northeast of Thailand.
It is likely to bring torrential rains and strong winds to the Northeast and later the North and even impact on the east and south Thailand to some extent.
Residents in North and northeast Thailand face the risk of flash floods and landslides in some areas. Heavy rains and floods are forecast through to 31 August.
