Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The central region is forecast to experienceprolonged heavy rains and floods in the coming days due to a low-pressuresystem in the East Sea that may grow into a tropical depression.

At 4am on October 6, the eye of the low-pressure system was positioned at 13-14degrees north latitude and 114.2-115.2 degrees east longitude, according to theNational Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

The centre on October 6 predicted the system would move west at 10km per hour.

At 1am on October 7, the tropical depression system is predicted to be at about13.5 degrees north latitude and 112.2 degrees east longitude, about 330km fromthe east of the coastal province of Binh Dinh to Khanh Hoa province.

It is forecast that from October 6 to October 11, heavy rains will occur incentral provinces with rainfall of 300-500mm, with rainfall from the centralprovince of Ha Tinh to Quang Ngai province predicted at 500-700mm.

After October 11, heavy rain is predicted to last for days.

The centre also warned that northern and northern central mountainous provinceswill likely experience strong storms, lightning and winds.

"Heavy rain is forecast to occur from Ha Tinh central province to BinhDinh province. In some areas, the rainfall could be up to 1,500mm. This is avery dangerous situation," Tran Quang Hoai, deputy director of the CentralSteering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and head of theGeneral Department for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, said at ameeting on October 6.

He called on ministries, agencies and localities to respond to the tropicaldepression and heavy rain, ensuring safety for people and infrastructure. Forcoastal areas, localities should implement measures to ensure safety foraquaculture.

On the mainland, it was necessary to immediately check the sea dyke system,especially dykes in Nghe An province, Hoai said.

He asked localities to check the infrastructure system, residential areas inlowland areas and prepare evacuation plans to ensure safety.

The localities were told to have plans to operate the irrigation system toensure safety for agricultural production and prepare food for livestock incase of heavy rain and floods that would last for many days.

Hoai also said reservoirs and dykes should be closely monitored.

On October 6, Tran Dang Anh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of KrongNo district, Dak Nong province, said heavy rains in the past few days causedheavy damage in many localities.

Local agencies are focusing on supporting people to overcome the consequencesof rains of 115-120mm from October 1 to 5 which submerged 40 houses and 500haof crops.

Nearly 60ha of fish ponds were affected by floods, causing heavy losses forlocal farmers, while many main roads were eroded and some bridges were sweptaway by floodwaters.

According to local reports, total damage was estimated at nearly 50 billion VND(2.15 million USD).

Heavy rain on Monday night and yesterday morning also flooded some communes in BatXat district, Thanh Hoa province.

Heavy rains caused floods and a landslide, killing one child in Ban QuaCommune, the local agriculture sector reported.

Floods also damaged four houses and dozens of hectares of crops.

There was serious traffic congestion in some highways due to landslides.

Local forces were mobilised to ensure traffic flow, safety for road users andhelp residents move their property to safety.

On October 5 and 6, Ninh Thuan province faced rainfall between 20 to 40mm. Insome areas, rainfall reached 100-130mm.

With the unpredictable developments of rains and floods, the provincialsteering committee for natural disaster prevention and search and rescuerequested local authorities actively prepare plans to respond to floods andlandslides.

The localities must keep a close watch on the weather to inform people andensure safety for dykes and reservoirs to prevent floods downstream.

Coastal local authorities were asked to urgently inspect boats and notify thelocation of the low-pressure system to help fishermen stay safe./.