Deputy Director of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control Trần Quang Hoài (standing) gives instructions to prepare for the arrival of the typhoon. — VNA/VNS Photo Vũ Sinh

HÀ NỘI — Although typhoon Rai is still east of the Philippines, preparations are underway in Việt Nam for the storm's arrival, wherever it makes landfall. 

The National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control held a meeting on Wednesday with 20 coastal provinces and cities to cope with the typhoon. 

Hoàng Phúc Lâm, deputy director of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, said that typhoon Rai would come to the East Sea on Friday night and become the ninth typhoon of this year.

At present, the typhoon is about 800-900km off the Philippines with a wind speed of 103-117kph. Wind speeds may reach 184-201kph before making landfall in the Philippines.

It is forecast that the typhoon will become weaker before reaching Việt Nam’s shores, due to cold weather.

The typhoon covers a radius of about 300km. From Sunday, ships working area should be vigilant and alert against the danger.

The Việt Nam Natural Disaster Monitoring System said that at 6am on Wednesday there were more than 10,900 ships working in the area. Most of them were in the southern part of the Trường Sa (Spratly) Archipelago.

The border guards have been updating ships about the typhoon Rai's direction.

The National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control said there are 243,200 unsafe houses in southern coastal provinces and cities.

Localities should actively monitor the typhoon’s direction and implement response measures.

So far, four provinces, Quảng Trị, Quảng Nam, Ninh Thuận and Tiền Giang,  have issued response plans for the typhoon.

The Directorate of Water Resouces will give guidance and work with localities to have a plan to drain water, protect plants and operate reservoirs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send a letter to different countries to ask for support for Vietnamese ships in case they need shelter. Rescue forces will be ready for work.

The National Steering Committee on Wednesday sent a letter to concerned ministries and agencies to conduct necessary action to cope with the typhoon.

Under the letter, ships must closely watch the typhoon’s direction to ensure safety.

Provinces and cities should prevent erosion, protect dikes and co-ordinate well with each other in the work. — VNS