Some 20 inbound and outbound flights in Central Vietnam have been cancelled as the provinces of Quang Nam and Quang Ngai brace for a tropical storm forecast to hit late on September 14.

Shipping directed to shelters

The Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control in Danang City has barred ships and boats from departing and shipping is being directed to shelters. Students have been told to stay home and local authorities are posting regular bulletins.

Streets already submerged

People living in low-lying areas have been evacuated and hydropower reservoirs are being monitored.

The chairman of Quang Nam Province asked localities to work closely with the police and soldiers to deal with the storm, and possible landslides and flash floods.

Central provinces brace for storm

Vietnam Airlines announced that all flights in the central and highland regions have been grounded. Jetstar Pacific reported it had cancelled flights to these regions. Two flights to Buon Ma Thuot were diverted to HCM City's Tan Son Nhat Airport.

The National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) forecast the storm will hit Quang Nam and Quang Ngai at around 7pm. The highest wind measured at the area near the eye of the storm was at level 8 -- 60-75 kilometer per hour.