The provincial People’s Committee directed departments and agencies to take proactive action against the storm. Relevant agencies were told to call and guide all vessels into safe shelter. All tourist boats, transport vessels and fishing activities have been suspended until further notice.
Lam Dong also ordered agencies to secure reservoirs, dykes, public facilities and key production areas, review response plans, evacuate residents from high-risk zones and prepare personnel, equipment and essential supplies.
The provincial civil defence committee was instructed to closely monitor weather developments, identify areas at risk of landslides, flash floods and inundation, and move residents from danger zones.
Lam Dong Border Guards help fishermen take their coracles ashore ahead of the storm (Photo by Tran Nguyen).
On the afternoon of November 27, a 40-year-old man in Lam Dong’s Lien Huong Commune went missing after his boat was overturned by high waves and he was swept away. Searching activities are still underway.
Storm Koto is developing in a complicated pattern. It is forecast to shift direction from west-southwest to northwest and north-northwest over the next 24-48 hours, moving slowly at 3-10 km/h and gradually weakening. The typhoon is likely to affect Gia Lai Province around December 1-2.
Waves in Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province rose above five metres late on Thursday, crashing over sea defences and sweeping onto a coastal road under the storm’s influence.
