December 13, 2016 | 20:05 (GMT+7)
Coastal provinces brace for tropical depression
Provinces and cities along the central and southern coast are taking preventive measures in anticipation of a tropical pressure moving southeast towards the coast.
Fishing boats docking in Binh Thuan
The southern coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau banned vessels from going to sea as from 16:00 on December 11. The provincial Border Guard Command has coordinated with localities across the province to inform fishermen operating at sea of developments of the tropical depression.
The command has also worked with local ports to prepare safe shelters for boats to dock in.
Currently, more than 3,300 fishing vessels with 23,300 fishermen in Ba Ria-Vung Tau are operating at sea and nearly 2,370 ships with 9,586 crewmembers are anchoring in local ports.
According to the Southern Regional Hydrometeorological Center, on December 12 morning, the depression is at 9.4 degree north latitude and 109.7 degree east longitude, about 300km to the southeast of the coast from Binh Thuan to Ben Tre.
While moving at a speed of 40-60km per hour, the depression is forecast to cause strong wind in the sea from Binh Thuan to Ben Tre, along with torrential rain and whirl wind.
Meanwhile, water level at the Dong Nai River recorded in Bien Hoa city in the southern province of Dong Nai on December 12 morning was 1.64m, higher than level 1 by 0.06m. In the next 2-4 days, the level is forecast to rise to 1.8m or above level 2.
The center also issued tidal risk at level 2 in Dong Nai River.
Source: VNA