Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung speaks a meeting of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control in Hanoi on November 8, 2019.  (Photo: infonet.vn)

The instruction was given at a meeting of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control on Friday in Hanoi.

The storm with its dramatic patterns and violent winds is expected to bring along extremely heavy rain and floods. Nakri is forecast to hit South-Central provinces from Quang Ngai to Khanh Hoa on Sunday night. Strong winds and torrential rains will occur in cities and provinces from Da Nang to Ninh Thuan as well as the Central Highlands. Mr. Dung asked for thorough preparations to ensure safety for locals and tourists who are visiting islands.

 "The Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control will cooperate with the National Committee for Search and Rescue to provide   updated information on the storm. It’s necessary to take all possible measures to minimize any possible losses caused by the storm," said Mr. Dung.

Central provinces in Vietnam are instructing fishing boats and other vessels in the East Sea to take shelter. By Friday morning, almost all vessels fishing offshore of Quang Ngai have returned safely. In Binh Son district, 500 offshore fishing vessels of large capacity have taken shelter safely. Nguyen Quang Trung, Deputy Chairman of Binh Son district’s People Committee in Quang Ngai province, said: "Almost all vessels have taken shelter safely while those fishing offshore near Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes have been provided with updated information on the storm’s movements."

Binh Dinh province authorities have sent working teams to areas forecast to be affected by the storm. People living close to Nhon Hai dyke in Quy Nhon City have been asked to move to safe places. Also on Friday, Phu Yen province’s authorities asked owners of irrigation reservoirs to ensure appropriate flood management. Tran Huu The, Deputy Chairman of the Phu Yen provincial People’s Committee, said: "Owners of irrigation reservoirs should adjust their flood management plans as soon as the storm begins to hit the mainland,  while ensuring their water storage capacity."

Khanh Hoa province has announced that schools will close on Sunday and Monday to avoid storm effects.