The Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control issued an urgent notice on July 19 requesting all northern mountainous and north-central regions to brace themselves against an upcoming tropical low pressure system.

The committee has asked local ministries to monitor vessels which are about to set sail and continually notify ship owners about the movement of the low pressure, making it easier for them to avoid the danger zone.

Coastal provinces are responsible for stopping ships from going out to sea when the low pressure conditions get stronger.

All northern and central mountainous provinces need to examine reservoirs and take preventive measures at areas prone to flooding and landslides. Search and rescue forces must also be at the ready.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorology Forecasting, the epicentre of the low pressure system was 220km northeast of central Ha Tinh and Quang Tri provinces by 4pm on July 20.

On July 20, the committee reported that flooding in northern mountainous provinces killed a child and left two others missing in Dien Bien and Thai Nguyen.

It also damaged many houses, inundated crops and submerged streets.-VNA