The tropical depression is moving westwards at a speed of 10 kilometres per hour and is expected to weaken further as it moves toward Upper Laos.
Late in the afternoon of August 16, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent a message to a number of local authorities and concerned ministries to take urgent action in response to what is the fourth storm to hit Vietnam this year.
Downpours of between 250mm and 350mm are forecast for northern and north-central provinces, while Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces likely to see extreme rainfall of up to 500mm.
The government leader asked authorities in coastal provinces to keep a close watch on seafaring and fishing activities while those in cities and low-lying areas were requested to take measures to prevent flooding.
Mountainous provinces have been ordered to monitor areas prone to flash floods and landslides, in order to issue prompt warnings to local residents and force evacuation from areas in danger.
PM Phuc also called for a close watch to be kept on the water levels in irrigation and hydroelectricity reservoirs and to stockpile essential goods and medicine to cope with the aftermath of flooding.
Also on August 16, Deputy PM Trinh Dinh visited Thanh Hoa to inspect the operation of the Cua Dai Hydropower Plant reservoir and the province’s preparations for the oncoming storm.
As of 18:00 on August 16, the military had mobilised more than half a million soldiers and officers in response to the threat posed by storm Bebinca and its aftermath.
