HANOI: The Lao weather bureau has issued a nationwide warning as Typhoon Kalmaegi is forecast to bring moderate to heavy rainfall across central and southern parts of Laos from Friday (Nov 7) to Sunday.
The storm, moving west-northwest at a speed of 39 km per hour, is expected to cross Vietnam before entering Laos.
It will bring light to moderate thunderstorms generally and heavy to very heavy rainfall with strong winds in parts of the central and southern provinces, according to a report from the Agriculture and Environment Ministry’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology on Thursday.
Authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant for flash floods, landslides and rising river levels, particularly in high-risk provinces of Attapeu, Sekong, Champasak, Salavan, Khammuan, Savannakhet, Bolikhamxay, Xayabouly and the capital, Vientiane.
In Vietnam, eight airports and more than 50 flights in Vietnam have been affected as Typhoon Kalmaegi moves toward the country's central and southern regions, Xinhua reported on Thursday, citing local daily Cong An Nhan Dan.
Airports expected to be directly impacted include Da Nang, Phu Bai, Lien Khuong, Chu Lai, Phu Cat, Tuy Hoa, Pleiku and Buon Ma Thuot, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.
The authority has ordered round-the-clock monitoring and strict compliance with typhoon response procedures.
The Airports Corporation of Vietnam has been instructed to coordinate with relevant agencies to inspect airport infrastructure and communication systems and promptly detect and repair any damage.
National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines announced that more than 50 flights scheduled for Thursday and Friday have been affected due to flight adjustments made to ensure operational safety, Vietnam News Agency reported. - Bernama/Xinhua
