At a meeting of the Central Steering Committee on Flood and Storm Prevention and Control on July 15, Hai directed ministries, agencies and localities to keep a close watch on Rammasun’s developments in the East Sea to come up with effective prevention plans.

He asked border guards to contact vessels still fishing out at sea to return ashore or find nearby storm shelters.

Rammasun is forecast to strike northern-central coastal provinces on July 19

The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam-PVN) were required to ensure the safety of workers at oil platforms. The Ministry of Transport was urged to ensure smooth traffic during the height of the storm.   

Rammasun, which is pounding the Philippines, is expected to enter the East Sea on July 16, becoming the second storm to hit the region and the first to strike Vietnam this year.

The storm will change its course and regain its strength, bringing heavy rains and causing rough seas in a large area of the East Sea.