The central region has been seriously damaged by storms and landslides since early October, 2020. (File photo)

The National Centre of Hydro-meteorological and Forecasting (NCHF) reported that at 4 am Tuesday, the storm was located at around 12.3 0 N latitude and 110.3 0 E longitude in the waters of  provinces from Binh Dinh to Ninh Thuan, with the strongest winds close to its centre reaching between 75 km and 90 km per hour.

Over the course of the coming 12 hours, the weather pattern is forecast to move west at speeds of 10-15 km per hour, move deeper inland from Binh Dinh to Ninh Thuan at which point it will then weaken into a tropical depression.

Over the next 12 hours to 24 hours, the tropical depression will then continue to move in the west direction at a speed of approximately 20 km per hour before weakening into a low-pressure area.

Due to the impact of the storm, central provinces have torrential rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds today.

Authorities from Binh Dinh to Binh Thuan provinces have made plans to evacuate approximately 400,000 local residents before Storm Etau makes landfall on Tuesday. Among the evacuees a total of 150,000 people in Khanh Hoa province are poised to move to higher ground in order to guard against the impact of the impending storm. 

Fishing boats in the south-central coastal region have been given details about the development of Storm Etau, with the administration warning vessels to head ashore or find shelter from the incoming storm.

Phu Yen province banned fishing boats from setting sail from 10 a.m yesterday. Relevant forces were required to guide boats to safe areas and not permit any individual to stay on them.  Thousands of people working on over 200,000 fish cages throughout the provinces of Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen have been requested to head back to shore.