Ha Long cruise tours canceled over storm Prapiroon

The People’s Committee of Quang Ninh issued an official notice to suspend sightseeing, entertainment, and swimming activities in Ha Long Bay from Monday noon.

The province also notified vessel and boat owners and captains operating at sea about the storm's location, movement, and safe routes to follow. They also conducted inspections and provide guidance on safe anchorage for ships and boats and had rescue forces and resources readily available to promptly respond to any adverse situations that may arise.

Districts and cities were urgently directing and urging the pruning of tree branches and reinforcing cages and rafts of aquaculture and fishing farms in riverside and coastal areas.

Storm Prapiroon crossed Hainan Island off southern China early Monday and headed towards Vietnam's northern Quang Ninh Province, home of Ha Long Bay, with wind speed of 88 kph. 

The storm made landfall in the Quang Ninh at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday before weakening into a tropical depression half an hour later, causing heavy rains.

This is the second major storm in the South China Sea this year, following the first one in May. The meteorological agency notes that this year’s storms are arriving late, expected to peak between September and November. There are forecasts of 11-13 storms and tropical depressions in the South China Sea, which Vietnam calls the East Sea, with five to seven affecting the Vietnamese mainland.