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People in Phu Yen making sand bags to reinforce their houses |
At 16.00 on November 1, the storm was centred at 13.7 degrees north latitude and 114.1 degrees east longitude, about 510km east of the central coast from Quang Ngai to Phu Yen provinces. It was moving west and south-west with winds gusting between 75-105km/h.
In the next 24 hours, Mirinae will move in the same direction at a speed of 20-25km/h and directly affect coastal provinces from Binh Dinh to Ninh Thuan. Tropical storm-force winds will stretch out to 200km from the centre.
Mirinae is expected to make landfall and bring heavy rains on November 3 before weakening into a tropical depression. The storm, together with a cold snap from the north, will also cause heavy rains in provinces from Thua Thien-Hue to Binh Thuan.
At an urgent meeting on October 31, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai asked south-central provinces to call in fishing vessels at sea, protect dams, reinforce public works and people’s houses, and evacuate people from flood-prone areas before 24.00 on November 1.
He also asked them to stockpile food and other necessities in areas, which might be cut off due to extensive flooding, and mobilise forces to work around the clock to deal with the worst situation.
Cao Duc Phat, head of the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control, made an inspection tour in Khanh Hoa province on November 1.
It was reported that by 10.00 am more than 90 percent of fishing vessels had come ashore. The province is working closely with local authorities to move nearly 22,000 residents in danger areas to higher ground.