Sudden Thunderstorm Capsizes Tourist Boat In Ha Long Bay: Hydro-Meteorological Centre
The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting attributed the extreme weather to a convergence zone sweeping through the region, which, combined with three days of scorching temperatures, created unstable atmospheric conditions ripe for severe storms.
Meteorologists classified the event as a Mesoscale Convective System (MCS), a sprawling complex of thunderstorms that can span hundreds of km and persist for up to 24 hours. The system brought heavy downpours, lightning, strong gusts, and scattered whirlwinds to the region.
bootstrap slideshow
The provincial hydro-meteorological station had been tracking the developing weather system, issuing warnings based on real-time radar data. Specifically, upon detecting developing convective clouds, the station issued two warnings at 11:45 am and 1:30 pm on July 19. The second bulletin warned of showers and thunderstorms affecting areas including Ha Long ward, a popular tourist destination.
According to an urgent report from the provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue, a tourist boat, QN7105, carrying 48 passengers and five crew members, capsized around 3 pm on July 19 after being battered by a sudden whirlwind and thunderstorm. The incident occurred between Hon Ga Choi (Fighting Cock Islet) and Bai Tho mountain, roughly three nautical miles from shore.
A total of 47 people have been recovered, with ten survivors and 37 confirmed dead, including four victims whose identities are still being verified. The search continues amid challenging conditions.
The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting anticipated turbulent weather, with a marine bulletin issued at 4:30 am on July 19 forecasting scattered showers and thunderstorms across the Gulf of Tonkin by nightfall, along with the potential for whirlwinds and gusty winds. An extended-range forecast issued on July 18 afternoon had also warned of light rain during the day and thunderstorms at night along the Bai Chay coastal area, including Ha Long Bay, with the possibility of rough seas.
Looking ahead, the centre predicted continued showers and thunderstorms across the Gulf of Tonkin and northern and central of the East Sea, including the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, starting on July 20. The northern part of the northern East Sea is expected to face particularly severe conditions, with heavy rainfall and strong winds forecast.
-- BERNAMA-VNA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
7 hours ago
- Barnama
Only Kuala Selangor Records Unhealthy API Reading
PUTRAJAYA, July 24 (Bernama) -- Only Kuala Selangor recorded an unhealthy Air Pollution Index (API) reading as of 3 pm this afternoon, believed to be affected by transboundary haze, said Environment director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar. In a statement today, he said the Department of Environment's (DOE) API reading recorded two areas having good air quality status while 64 areas recorded moderate air quality status. "The deterioration in air quality in the affected areas is still affected by transboundary haze. There have been no major fires that could cause local haze," he said. Based on a report by the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) based in Singapore yesterday, Wan Abdul Latif said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 20 satellite images found that there were 42 hotspots detected in Sumatra and 91 hotspots detected in Kalimantan. Apart from that, he said, there were 13 hot spots detected in the country, 11 in Sarawak and one each in Pahang and Terengganu. "DOE has increased enforcement and daily patrol activities to areas with potential for open burning activities as well as monitoring API readings from time to time," he said. He said the National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK) had been activated to coordinate the actions of government agencies in addressing the issue of open burning and facing the national haze situation. "All landowners are advised to closely monitor areas that are prone to catch fire such as landfills, forests, peatlands, plantations, agricultural and industrial areas. "Landowners are also asked to take steps to prevent encroachment by irresponsible parties that cause open burning either for specific purposes or accidentally," he said.
Barnama
12 hours ago
- Barnama
6.3-magnitude Earthquake Jolts Indonesia's Gorontalo Province
JAKARTA, July 24 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's Gorontalo province early Thursday, according to the country's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency, reported Xinhua. The quake occurred at 3.50 am local time (2050 GMT Wednesday), with its epicentre located eight kilometres on land southeast of Pohuwato Regency at a depth of 132 kilometres. The tremors were also felt in nearby provinces, including North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, and East Kalimantan. bootstrap slideshow "No tsunami warning has been issued as the tremor is not expected to generate large waves," said Hendry Ticoalu, secretary of the Gorontalo city disaster management agency. He added that there have been no initial reports of damage or casualties. Indonesia is prone to frequent earthquakes due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone. The country is home to 127 active volcanoes and experiences intense tectonic activity. -- BERNAMA-XINHUA
Malaysian Reserve
14 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Strong earthquake hits Sulawesi, tremors felt in Tawau, Lahad Datu
KUALA LUMPUR — A strong earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck the Minahassa Peninsula in Sulawesi at 4.50 am today, the Meteorological Department reported. It said in a statement that the quake, with a depth of 131 km occurred about 120 km west of Gorontalo, Indonesia. It also said that tremors were felt in Tawau and Lahad Datu, Sabah. However, there is no tsunami threat to Malaysia, it added. — BERNAMA
