According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, a tropical depression would turn into a storm, the fourth this year in the East Sea, today. It is moving quickly towards the central region, concentrating in localities from Quang Binh to Danang. The region would see the highest rainfall of up to 500 mm.

Heavy rain and whirlwind has hit Danang City and provinces from Quang Binh to Quang Ngai since the morning of September 18, submerging streets, uprooting trees and blowing house roofs in many areas.

It is forecasted that heavy rain will continue in the region until September 20, which may trigger flash floods and landslides in many areas.

To ensure safety for local residents, Danang has called for all boats operating in local waters to seek shelter.

As of Wednesday morning, nearly 1,100 boats with 7,699 crew members had returned to shore in Danang while local authorities are contacting 62 remaining boats with 617 crews to ask them to urgently seek shelter.

Authorities in neighbouring Quang Nam Province have also requested 206 fishing boats with 1,942 crew members to return to shore. Hoi An City has also suspended the tourist boat service to Cham Island since September 18 to ensure safety.

Chairman of Quang Ngai Province, Nguyen Hoang Giang, said that boats have been banned from going to sea since Wednesday afternoon while concerned authorities are closely following updated information about the coming storm to instruct boats operating at sea to seek shelter.

Meanwhile, Quang Tri Province saw 2,278 boats with 5,564 crew members back to shore safely by Wednesday afternoon. Quang Binh Province will also ban boats from going to sea from September 19.

In addition, authorities in the central localities have also asked local residents and agencies to reinforce housing and infrastructure before the storm arrives.