KHABAROVSK, August 11 (RIA Novosti) – Typhoon Halong, raging over Japan for the past few days, is expected to bring heavy wind and rain to four Russian Far East regions, a representative of the Far East department of the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring told RIA Novosti on Monday.
"Primorsky Territory, Sakhalin Region, Khabarovsk Territory and the Jewish Autonomous Region will fall under the power of the typhoon, which has already weakened. Primorye expects the typhoon today, with forecast rains and heavy rains along the coast and winds of 17 to 22 meters per second [38 to 49 miles per hour], with gusts of wind of 30 meters per second [67 miles per hour]. Khabarovsk Territory is expected to see weather deterioration the night into Tuesday," the representative said.
In the Sakhalin Region, the storm is expected to affect the Southern Kuril Islands and the southern part of Sakhalin Island.
The four regions have received warnings from the Emergencies Ministry, which is expecting short-term flooding in towns, as well as interruptions to transport and utilities services. The residents are advised not to leave their towns unless absolutely necessary.
The Pacific Fleet said the storm would not hamper with its combat efficiency. Its spokesman Roman Martov said all its ships and submarines were fulfilling the full range of their tasks.
Typhoon Halong formed near the Mariana Islands, in the northwest Pacific Ocean, on July 29 and traveled over much of Japan over the past weekend at speeds of up to 67 miles per hour (30 meters per second), while winds speeds hit 100 miles per hour (45 meters per second).
Halong was downgraded to a tropical storm on Saturday. Its strong winds and rain claimed at least nine victims in Japan and destroyed nearly 350 homes.
