Local authorities are braced for the approaching Sarika and Haima typhoons which are forecast to both hit Vietnam.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc urged agencies to quickly deal with the severe flooding in the central region after heavy rain that lasted from October 12 to 14. Thousands of houses and the main north-south rain line were left submerged.

The Central Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control reported that 15 people were killed and 9 others left missing in the flood in the four central provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh and Thua Thien-Hue by October 16.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Sarika is heading fast toward Vietnam and will make landfall in the north within the next two days. Typhoon Haima has also intensified quickly in the western Pacific Ocean.

Thai Binh provincial authorities ban boats from leaving

The prime minister has asked local authorities to halt non-urgent meetings to monitor the path of the storms and issue timely guidance, and direct fishing boats, tourist and cargo ships to shelters. Households a low-lying or dangerous areas should be evacuated and reservoirs must be monitored closely.

As of 4am, October 17, the eye of Sarika was 320km away from Paracel Islands with wind speeds of 135-150 kilometres per hour.

In the next 24 hours, the typhoon will move north-northwest to 120km away from China's Hainan Island on the next day, 150km away from Quang Ninh and Nam Dinh provinces on October 19.

Wind speeds in the Gulf of Tonkin will start to pick up from tonight. Thai Binh provincial authorities are recalling fishing boats and ships and banning other boats from leaving.

The provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, Search and Rescue has directed local authorities to quickly harvest crops, protect the dykes and other constructions.