The system is currently located about 800-900 kilometres to the east of the Philippines, with wind speeds at level 11 on the Beaufort scale and could reach levels 13-14 before making landfall in the Philippines.
According to Vietnam’s weather agency, Rai will weaken before entering the East Sea, but will then gather strength to reach levels 12-13, causing strong winds and heavy rains in the sea and on the land.
Speaking at a meeting on December 17, deputy head of the national disaster management agency Tran Quang Hoai asked weather forecasters to watch the storm closely and provide frequent updates on its development.
He asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to send diplomatic notes to neighbouring countries, in order to help Vietnamese fishermen take shelter from the storm.
Hoai also urged coastal provinces to not let their residents remain on coastal aquatic farms and fishing boats in shelter areas.