Deputy Prime Ministers Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Hoang Trung Hai on November 9 inspected preparations for the super typhoon Haiyan, which is expected to make landfall in central provinces on November 10.

While working with leaders of the central province of Quang Ngai and the provincial steering committee for flood prevention and control, Deputy PM Phuc urged more drastic and prompt efforts in the work.

It is a must for competent agencies to locate and guide 13 vessels which are on way to the mainland from Truong Sa (Spratly) to safe shelters, the Deputy PM said.

Localities were asked to reinforced houses and key establishments to absolutely ensure safety for local residents and minimise losses caused by the massive storm.

Deputy PM Phuc required relevant forces to stand ready around the clock to assist residents when necessary.

After the working session, he made field trips to the Dung Quat PTSC Port and the coastal commune of Binh Hai in Binh Son district.

The same day, Deputy PM Hoang Trung Hai and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat, who is also head of the Central Steering Committee for Flood Prevention and Control, instructed the preparation work for the storm in central Thua Thien-Hue province.

Watching over storm preparations under way in coastal communes in Phu Vang district and the Phu Hai habour, Deputy PM Hai told provincial leaders that Haiyan has been one of the strongest typhoons on record with complicated developments.

He said evacuation plans must be completed by 7:00pm on November 9.

Thua Thien-Hue called and allocated shelters for over 1,800 vessels, including those from other provinces such as Quang Tri and Quang Binh, while the evacuation work has been promptly carried out in Phong Dien, Quang Dien, Huong Tra, Phu Vang and Phu Loc districts.

The local tourism sector has also sought ways to ensure safety for nearly 7,900 visitors, including more than 4,500 foreigners.

The typhoon Haiyan, which recorded wind gusts of up to 315 kilometres per hour, is one of the biggest and wildest storms to churn through the Pacific in modern times.-VNA