China and Vietnam – Super Typhoon Rammasun

Super Typhoon Rammasun continues to track northwestward towards China’s Hainan Island. The storm, currently packing maximum sustained winds of 135 knots (155 mph), is expected to weaken slightly as it makes landfall on the southeastern corner of Guangdong Province’s Leizhou Peninsula later that evening. Rammasun is then expected to hit the border of northern Vietnam and southwestern Guangxi, China, early July 19. Heavy rains and powerful winds will cause flash flooding, storm surge flooding, and landslides. Localized transport, power, and telecommunications disruptions will probably occur. Flight delays, diversions, and cancellations are likely at Haikou Meilan and Sanya Phoenix international airports on Hainan, at regional airports in Guangxi and Guangdong, and at Haiphong Airport in northern Vietnam. Rail service disruptions are also likely in affected areas.