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Vietnam wary as tropical storm veers north to threaten coasts

HANOI -- Tropical Storm Pabuk veered north in the South China Sea on Sunday and was projected to hit northern Vietnam later in the week, with the government calling all boats to shore ahead of the storm.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung sent a message asking neighbouring countries to allow Vietnamese boats shelter in their waters as the storm approached, already causing high winds and heavy seas.

At least 31 fishing boats with 625 sailors remained in the dangerous areas near Spratly and Paracel islands, according to the National Flood and Storm Committee.

By Sunday, the storm was 80 kilometres east of central Binh Dinh province and was moving north-west at 5-10 kilometres an hour with wind speeds between 62 and 74 kilometres an hour.

Pabuk is the second tropical storm to threaten Vietnam this year. Early last month, Tropical Storm Toraji hit the country's northern province of Quang Ninh but caused minimal damage.

More than 600 people were killed last year in Vietnam by storms and floods.

//(Deutsche Presse-Agentur/DPA)

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Vietnam wary as tropical storm veers north to threaten coasts

HANOI -- Tropical Storm Pabuk veered north in the South China Sea on Sunday and was projected to hit northern Vietnam later in the week, with the government calling all boats to shore ahead of the storm.

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