Storm Noru is expected to make landfall in central Vietnam on September 27. (Photo: VNA)

The Prime Minister has set up a Steering Committee to cope with storms in the central region. The Committee which began its operation today is headed by Le Van Thanh, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.

The Steering Committee will help localities closely monitor the developments of the progress of storm and regularly update the Prime Minister to support prompt decisions in response to emergencies.

Quang Nam province has lowered water levels in its reservoirs. The provincial People’s Committee has asked sectors and localities to cancel unnecessary meetings and concentrate on coping with the storms. Schoolchildren will be allowed to stay home from Tuesday until the storm has passed.  

Local administrations have evacuated people from high-risk areas.

Colonel Le Huy Sinh, Political Commissar of the High Command of Naval Region 2, said" "We have organized regular patrols at sea to ensure the safety of vessels and their crews."

Localities in Quang Ngai province plan to complete the evacuation of people by 10 am Tuesday and by 8 am in Ly Son district. Construction companies are asked to check construction sites, guard against flooding, and evacuate all workers and  machinery to safe ground.

Tran Phuoc Hien, Vice Chairman of the Quang Ngai provincial People’s Committee, said: "We have asked coastal localities and mountain localities at risk of landslide to prepare scenarios to cope with natural disasters by tracking the progress of storms and implementing safety measures."

Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri province, and Da Nang city are mobilizing emergency teams to cope with the storm and prevent landslides and flooding. They are closely monitoring the storm and preparing for torrential rains in order to minimize losses.