Hanoi (VNA) -ܫ Provinces and cities in central Vietnam have been warned to stand ready for a storm that is expected to make landfall by September 19 afternoon.

In Thanh Hoa province, Do Minh Tuan, Chairman of the provincial People's Committee told local officials to closely monitor and continuously update information on the progression of the tropical depression, as well as being ready for any potential flooding. Districts and Thanh Hoa city were ordered to immediately implement safety measures for vessels and maritime activities and keep boats in harbour and advise those still at sea to find a safe shelter. The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has been ordered to closely monitor the situation, collaborating with relevant units to ensure the safety of dikes, reservoirs and irrigation systems and to pay close attention to harvest autumn crops and protect aquatic resources. In Quang Binh province, a ban on sea activities will commence from midnight on September 19 until conditions are deemed safe. Fishing teams at sea were advised to maintain communication and support one another in emergencies, while measures for securing assets on rafts and fishing huts were also being implemented. Districts and towns were assigned to inspect areas at risk of flash floods, landslides and execute contingency plans for storms, heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslides, including the evacuation of residents to safer locations. Particular attention should be given to high-risk areas such as Phong Khong Hill in Duc Hoa commune, Hamlet 5 in Quy Dat town and Ruc village in Hong Hoa commune, along with the stockpiling of food and essential supplies in case areas are cut off for a long time. Officials are being urged to keep in communication with residents who were still in forests and to call them back safely before the onset of any flooding. Traffic control and guidance must be arranged at low-lying crossings and flooded areas, with the temporary suspension of operations at floating bridges and ferries during significant rainfall. In Quang Tri province, as of September 18, all 2,280 vessels in the province received warnings about the tropical depression in the East Sea, prompting them to move to safety. Local units assessed the condition of dams and reservoirs to identify and repair any damage, while also developing and updating disaster response plans for critical infrastructure and downstream areas. Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Vo Van Hung directed coastal districts and Con Co Island officials to continue guiding and managing vessels, including tourist boats, ensuring their safe evacuation from hazardous areas or to shelters and ensuring the safety of tourists on the island. Meantime, Quang Ngai province suspended all maritime activities, including passenger transport to Ly Son Island, starting from September 18 noon until weather conditions return to normal. Chairman of the province's People's Committee Nguyen Hoang Giang told relevant units to keep track of vessels at sea, informing them of the storm’s trajectory to ensure safe evacuation from dangerous areas. The provincial Education and Training Department was tasked to make a decision to temporarily close schools if needed. In Quang Nam province, Colonel Hoang Van Man, Political Commissar of the Provincial Border Guard Command, reported that border guard posts were closely managing the activities of vessels, ensuring the safety of residents, property and aquaculture on the islands and along the coast. The storm is projected to be moving southwest at about 20 km/h, located approximately 210 km southeast of Quang Tri province and 120 km east of Da Nang./.