HA NOI — Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai yesterday asked authorities, particularly those in the northern provinces, to remain vigilant in their preparations for Storm Haima which recently formed in the northern part of the East Sea.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, wind speeds ranged from 62-74km per hour at 7pm yesterday and its centre was located about 380km northeast of Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago.

Forecasts said the storm would move west until 7pm today to centre 140km east of China's Hainan Island where it would begin to weaken into a tropical low.

The storm has caused heavy rain, strong thunderstorms and rough seas around Hoang Sa Archipelago. Heavy rains are expected to hit northern provinces by tomorrow afternoon.

Strong winds ranging from 61-102km per hour are expected to rage in the East Sea and along coastal areas from Binh Thuan to Ca Mau provinces.

Yesterday Hai asked localities to send urgent messages to any vessels operating in the East Sea to find safe shelter.

He urged people in the industrial and trade and agricultural sectors to check irrigation ponds and reservoirs regularly, and told the transport sector to send rescue vehicles to mountainous provinces.

Localities were also instructed to harvest all their crops.

The system is the second major storm to form in the East Sea this year.

(Source:VNS)