Storm Nesat enters the East Sea and is forecast to cause heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas. —VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Coastal localities have been instructed to stay alert for storm Nesat, which entered the northern area of the East Sea, becoming the sixth of its kind this year.

The storm's eye was located about 600km east-northeast of Hoàng Sa (Paracel) at 10am on October 17.

The strongest winds close to the eye of the storm were 103-133km per hour, according to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

In the next 24-48 hours, the storm is forecast to move in a west-northwest direction at a speed of 15km per hour and may get stronger.

The eye of the storm is expected to be about 380km east-southeast of central coastal provinces from Hà Tĩnh to Thừa Thiên-Huế at 10am on October 19.

In the next 48-72 hours, the storm is forecast to continue moving in a west-northwest direction at a speed of 15km per hour and may weaken.

Due to Nesat's influence, the East Sea’s north area, including Hoàng Sa, will experience heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas.

To proactively respond to the storm, minimise damage, and stabilise production, the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control’s office has sent a dispatch, requesting coastal localities and relevant ministries and sectors to keep a close watch on forecasts and the development of the storm to notify captains and owners of vessels at sea.

Ministries, sectors and localities must monitor and count ships operating in storm-affected areas; regularly maintain contact with ship owners to promptly deal with any circumstances.

They were also requested to take measures and make appropriate production plans to ensure human and property safety, especially for aquaculture cages.

The committee on October 17 sent an urgent message, requiring authorities of Quảng Nam, Quảng Ngãi and Bình Định to ensure safety for vessels working at sea.

As of 6.30am on October 17, there are 50 vessels from these localities with 489 fishermen onboard still operating around Hoàng Sa area.

Coping with floods

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has sent an urgent message, asking authorities of central Đà Nẵng City and Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị, Thừa Thiên Huế, Quảng Nam and Quảng Ngãi provinces and relevant ministries and agencies to take drastic measures to promtly deal with the aftermaths of storm SONCA, the fifth storm to hit the East Sea this year.

After weakening from a tropical storm to a low tropical pressure system late last week, storm SONCA caused rainfall of up to 800mm in many areas in central localities, causing great damage, particularly in Đà Nẵng, Thừa Thiên Huế, Quảng Trị and Quảng Nam.

Floods triggered by torrential rain over the past few days killed at least six people (three in Đà Nẵng, two in Thừa Thiên Huế, one in Quảng Nam and one in Quảng Trị), according to the latest report from the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.

Heavy rain caused a landslide along the Thạch Hãn river bank in central Quảng Trị Province, killing one person. — VNA/VNS Photo

Flood waters also submerged thousands of houses, caused nine to collapse, damaged 26 others and inundated over 1,000ha of crops.

Landslides occurred along the sections of national highway 9C in Quảng Bình and national highway 15D in Quảng Trị, blocking traffic.

The PM asked the localities to take measures to ensure the living conditions for people in affected areas, leaving no one hungry or homeless.

Local authorities were instructed to continue searching for the missing, evacuate locals from dangerous areas or areas prone to landslides and flash floods provide medical treatment to the wounded and burial services for the dead, and arrange temporary accommodation for evacuated people.

The PM asked for the deployment of forces to ensure traffic safety in submerged areas, support people to repair houses, clean the environment, recover damaged infrastructure, especially schools, hospitals, and irrigation facilities. — VNS