Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister NguyenXuan Phuc issued a dispatch on November 14, demanding urgent actions be takenin response to approaching Storm Vamco.

The dispatch noted that Storm Vamco is currentlystronger than previously forecast and predicted to directly affect northern andcentral areas of the central region on November 14 and 15.

Requesting focus on measures to cope with thisstorm, the PM asked ministries, sectors, and related localities to continuecalling on vessels at sea to move out of dangerous areas and take shelter whileensuring safety for people and vehicles involved in oil and gas exploration andexploitation, aquaculture, fishing, and other activities at sea.

He ordered the evacuation of residents fromvulnerable areas at sea and in coastal places, as well as the reinforcement ofhouses, offices, schools, healthcare establishments, and other structures inthe mainland and the islands of Ly Son, Cu Lao Cham, and Con Co.

PM Phuc also asked authorities to take measuresto protect dykes, reservoirs, dams, and important infrastructure facilities,operate irrigation and hydropower reservoirs safely, and minimise people andvehicles moving in areas forecast to be hit by the storm.

Additionally, ministries, sectors, andlocalities also have to ready forces, vehicles, and equipment to deal with anycircumstances that may happen, according to the dispatch.

The provinces from Ha Tinh to Binh Dinh havereportedly issued bans on vessels at sea. Meanwhile, eight localities from HaTinh to Quang Ngai plan to evacuate about 86,000 households with 315,000 peoplefrom areas vulnerable to deep flooding, flash floods, and landslides to saferplaces.

At 10am on November 14, the eye of Storm Vamcowas about 420km to the east-southeast of Quang Tri province and 300km away fromthe coast from Da Nang city to Thua Thien-Hue province. It sustained winds ofup to 135-165km per hour, according to the National Centre for Hydro-MeteorologicalForecasting.

From 10am to 10pm on November 14, the storm isexpected to move west-northwest at about 20km per hour. At 10pm on the day, itscentre will be on the sea area off the coast from Ha Tinh to Quang Ngaiprovinces, with the strongest winds of 115-135km per hour.

Between 10am on November 14 and 10am on November15, Vamco will move west-northwest at some 20km per hour and gradually weaken.At 10am on November 15, its centre will be on the coast from Ha Tinh to QuangNgai with the strongest winds of 90-100km per hour.

Between 10am on November 15 and 10am on November16, it will keep moving west-northwest at some 15-20km per hour and hit themainland areas from Ha Tinh to Quang Nam and abate into a tropical depressionand then a low-pressure area./.