Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has asked coastal localities from Quang Ninh to Quang Binh to complete the evacuation of people living in high-risk areas before 4pm of July 18 as Typhoon Rammasun is approaching.

While chairing an online meeting between the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control with leading officials from the localities on July 17, Hai urged local authorities to call upon ships, especially 17 ships operating in the waters of the Hoang Sa archipelago , to hurry back to shore.

Localities were also asked to regularly update local people on the developments of the storm and instruct them to take safety measures.

The Deputy PM instructed sending working teams to vulnerable areas to inspect the preparation work for the storm.

At the same time, northern mountainous provinces were warned of the risk of landslides and flash floods.

Head of the Central Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Centre Hoang Duc Cuong said that storm Rammasun, the second to enter the East Sea, is moving toward Hainan island, with the maximum wind of 149 kilometres per hour.

It is forecast to make a landfall in northern coastal localities on July 19 before weakening to a low pressure, stated Cuong.

As of 6am on July 17, more than 58,600 fishing vessels and fishing farms at sea with 205,000 workers had been notified of the approaching storm so that they can seek shelter on time.

Meanwhile, Thai Binh province forbade all fishermen from going out to sea from July 17’s morning.-VNA