Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong requested cities and provinces in the north central region prep🎐are for tropical storm Dianmu, the third of its kind in 2016, during a conference in Hanoi on August 17.

Cuong, who is also head of the National Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, said the storm comes at a dangerous time for northern and north-central localities, as torrential rain over the past five days has caused flash floods in 14 northern mountainous provinces. The storm’s arrival also coincides with high flood levels on the two major river systems – the Hong and Thai Binh -, he said, warning careful preparation is needed to deal with the storm, especially to protect sea dykes. He asked the National Committee for Search and Rescue and border guards to coordinate with fisheries forces and Central Steering Committees on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control at local levels to direct ships in the affected areas to safety. The minister instructed all provinces northwards of the 17th parallel must enforce strict bans on sailing for all vessels as from August 18. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is responsible for directing localities to inspect dykes and water pumping facilities whilst Electricity of Vietnam handles reservoirs and hydropower plants. The Ministry of Industry and Trade was tasked to examine the power network and ensure electricity supply is maintained, Cuong said, adding that the Ministry of Public Security would guarantee security in the affected areas. The National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting said the storm will bring widespread heavy rain to northern and north central provinces from August 18 to August 20. Northern mountainous provinces are forecast to encounter serious flooding, flash floods and landslides.-VNA