Storm Yagi entered the East Sea on the morning of September 3 and is likely to gain further strength into a powerful typhoon in a couple of days, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
The centre said that at 1 am on September 3, Yagi was swirling around the northern part of the Philippines’ Luzon Island with winds gusting 110kph.
It is highly likely that the storm will cross longitude 120 and enter the East Sea on September 3 afternoon or evening with winds reaching more than 150kph near its centre, becoming the third tropical storm to hit regional waters this year. It may directly affect the northern and central localities in the coming days.
In his dispatch to concerned agencies and authorities in the northern and central localities on Tuesday morning, PM Pham Minh Chinh requested close monitoring and proper preparations to cope with the storm.
He asked local authorities in 24 provinces and cities in the northern and central regions to proactively provide timely information and guidance to the public on how to respond to the storm and flooding.
The local leaders were also required to set up plans to ensure the safety of residents and minimise damage to property at sea, on islands, along the coast, on land, and in mountainous areas.
The government leader assigned the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to monitor the storm and flooding situation closely and to coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to promptly implement measures to ensure the safety of dykes, and reservoirs and to protect agricultural production and aquaculture.