Coastal localities asked to brace for storm Rammasun

While chairing an online meeting between the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control with leading officials from the localities on July 17, Hai urged local authorities to call on ships, especially 17 ships operating in the waters of the Hoang Sa archipelago, to hurry back to shore.

Localities were also asked to regularly update local people on the developments of the storm and instruct them to take safety measures.

The Deputy PM called for working teams to be sent to vulnerable areas to inspect preparation work for the storm.

At the same time, northern mountainous provinces were warned of the risk of landslides and flash floods.

Head of the Central Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Centre, Hoang Duc Cuong said that storm Rammasun, the second to enter the East Sea this season, is moving toward Hainan island, with maximum winds of 149 kilometres per hour.

It is forecast to make landfall in northern coastal localities on July 19 before weakening, Cuong said.

As of 6am on July 17, more than 58,600 fishing vessels and fishing farms at sea with 205,000 workers had been notified of the approaching storm so they could seek shelter in time.

Meanwhile, Thai Binh province forbade all fishermen from going out to sea from the morning of July 17.

(Source: Nhandan Online)