According to the latest storm news from the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), super typhoon Sinlaku is heading towards the Northern Mariana Islands.
The maximum sea wave is up to 14.6 m - an extremely dangerous level for all activities at sea.
While Guam had previously suffered damage from natural disasters, Saipan and Tinian islands are warned to face a much more serious scenario when Sinlaku is likely to go very close or directly through these two islands on the night of April 14.
The Commonwealth government of the Northern Mariana Islands issued an "on-the-spot shelter" order for all residents in Saipan, Tinian and Rota from the morning of April 14, warning that storm winds would begin to strengthen from the afternoon.
At Saipan and Tinian islands, the forecast wind speed is expected to reach about 210-250 km/h, gusting to 280 km/h. Meanwhile, Rota island is expected to have winds of about 95-110 km/h, gusting nearly 145 km/h, with the strongest impact on the same night.
Doppler radar data shows that the secondary eye of super typhoon Sinlaku is covering the two islands, causing heavy rain to torrential rain, with winds maintaining from 119 km/h, gusting at least 172 km/h.
The strongest wind area is still within the main eye of the storm, in the south-southeast of Saipan and Tinian, where sustained winds can reach about 250 km/h.
According to the US National Weather Service in Guam, the time when the storm is closest to Saipan Island may be around midnight, early morning of April 15.
Weather conditions will deteriorate rapidly in the afternoon as the eye of the storm approaches, shifting from a strong tropical storm to a very strong storm and continuing to increase in the evening and night.
When the impact from the super typhoon peaks, Saipan may record gusts exceeding 270 km/h. Experts predict that the situation in Saipan and Tinian is "continuing to worsen".
The latest forecast shows that the storm's trajectory tends to move slightly northward, increasing the possibility that the eye of the storm will go directly through the northern half of Saipan Island - an area that can withstand the strongest winds and the harshest weather conditions.
If the eye of the storm passes through the island, people may experience a short period of "fake calmness" lasting about 1-2 hours - when the wind decreases and the sky may be temporarily clear - before the rest of the eye of the storm comes with very strong gusts of wind, torrential rain, thunderstorms and serious damage.
At the time of making landfall on the archipelago, Super Typhoon Sinlaku was forecast to still maintain very strong intensity, equivalent to a level 4 storm with winds of about 230 km/h, although it is in a gradually weakening trend.
The US National Weather Service warned that most metal roof structures could be destroyed, and electricity and domestic water could be interrupted for days, even weeks. Debris blown away by the wind can cause widespread damage and threaten lives if outdoors.
Local authorities have requested the closure of all non-essential agencies, businesses and services; and at the same time suspended all public transport operations until further notice. The US Federal Emergency Mission (FEMA) is ready in Guam to deploy damage assessment as soon as conditions permit.
People and tourists are advised to follow official information from the local meteorological agency to update on the latest developments of the storm. Absolutely do not go out during the "tentative calm" time when the eye of the storm passes.
