The trajectory of the incoming depression/storm. — Photo from the Việt Nam Disasters Monitoring System (VNDMS)

HÀ NỘI — The National Hydro-Meteorological Forecast Centre said a tropical depression in the East Sea area might gain strength and become a storm on Monday or Tuesday.

As of 7am on Monday, the tropical depression was reported to be 110km southeast of Song Tử Tây Island in Việt Nam's Trường Sa (Spratly) archipelago. 

Average wind speed was measured at 40-50km per hour.

The tropical depression is forecast to worsen weather conditions in southern and central localities from Quảng Trị Province to Khánh Hoà Province, bringing rough seas, heavy rains, winds and possibly tornados to the areas.

Deputy Director of the centre, Hoàng Phúc Lâm, said rainfall is expected to be 200-350mm from Thanh Hoá Province to Thừa Thiên-Huế Province from October 27 to 30.

Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, Trần Quang Hoài, suggested that the Border Guard Command coordinates with the Directorate of Fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), the Ministry of Transport and localities to strengthen monitoring. Ships should be informed about the location, direction and evolution of tropical depressions so that fishermen and ship owners can take action. The Border Guard Force will set fireworks to warn ships operating in dangerous areas to move to a safe place.

Relevant ministries, branches and localities shall ensure traffic safety, especially in areas where serious flooding has occurred such as Quảng Ngãi and Quảng Nam provinces.

Hoài said after recent heavy rains, landslides are likely to happen, especially in mountainous areas. As well as this, reservoirs are already almost full.

The relevant units must coordinate with localities and reservoir owners to inspect reservoirs and plan the safety of downstream areas. Forces are ready to handle any developing situations and all construction work is temporarily suspended. 

Localities already damaged by recent bad weather

As of 6pm on Sunday, torrential rains and flooding had caused heavy damage to the central region, according to the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.

In the central province of Quảng Ngãi, a boat with three fishermen on board was sunk in Bình Sơn District, on Sunday morning. The fishermen have not been found.

On October 23, a resident in Nghĩa Hạnh District died after being swept away. 

As many as 32 communes in five local districts and townships have been flooded.

In the central province of Quảng Nam, 25 communes and wards in five districts and townships have been inundated.

Up to 1,369 households, with 4,805 residents, from high-risk areas in Thừa Thiên-Huế, Quảng Nam and Quảng Ngãi provinces have been evacuated. — VNS