Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on October 13 issued a notice regarding measures to cope with tropical storm Nari, the 11 th storm to hit Vietnam this year, which is forecast to land on the central region on October 15.

The Prime Minister required provinces and cities from Thanh Hoa to Phu Yen to mobilise forces while closely coordinating with relevant ministries and branches to drastically and promptly implement preventive measures in order to minimize losses in human lives and property.

All off-shore fishing vessels must be informed of the storm and directed to find safe shelter. At the same time, rescue forces must stand ready for action, he said.

Checks should be conducted to ensure the safety of dykes and water reservoirs while supplies of food and essential goods should be stocked up.

According to the National Steering Committee for Flood Prevention and Control, by 6am on October 14, central coastal provinces from Quang Binh to Khanh Hoa contacted a total of 44,343 fishing vessels with 180,734 fishermen to urge them to find shelters.

Provinces between Quang Binh and Quang Nam have also devised plans for evacuation of more than 155,500 people who are residing in and around areas vulnerable to flood and landslide.

Meanwhile, Da Nang City is working to evacuate about 11,000 households by 12am on October 14.

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorlogical Forecasting said by 4am on October 14, the storm was about 330 kilometres east of Quang Tri and Quang Ngai provinces, packing maximum winds of between 134 and 149 kilometres per hour.

In the next 24 hours, the storm is expected to move west and west-northwest at around 15 kilometres per hour.-VNA