Powerful Typhoon Nakri is approaching the South Central Coast and is predicted to make landfall in localities from Quang Ngai to Khanh Hoa by late November 10 night.

According to the national weather service, Nakri – the sixth and likely the strongest typhoon from the East Sea this year – was located about 110 km to the north of Song Tu Tay Island (in Vietnam’s Spratly archipelago) as 7 am on Saturday morning (Nov 9), with strongest winds blowing at up to 100-135 km/hour.

By 7 am the next morning, the storm is forecast at about 220 km to the east from the coast of provinces from Quang Ngai to Khanh Hoa, with the strongest winds blowing at 100-115km/hour. In the next 24 to 48 hours, the storm is predicted to move in the north-western direction at 10-15 km/hour, going deep to the mainland before weakening into a tropical depression.

Strong winds and rough sea are forecast in the waters off the provinces from Da Nang to Ninh Thuan, while heavy rains up to 350mm, as well as flood and landslide, are also warned for provinces from Thua Thien - Hue to Ninh Thuan and the Central Highlands from Nov 9-12.

To deal with the strong storm, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on late Nov 8 sent an urgent telegraph to provinces of Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong, urging for emergency response to Nakri.

Authorities were asked to urge boats and fishermen working at aquaculture farms at sea to return to land, while getting plans ready for the evacuation of residents from houses and areas vulnerable to strong winds, flooding and landslides.

Locals in Nhon Hai commune, Quy Nhon city strengthen a sea embankment section to brace against Storm Nakri.

Thua Thien - Hue and Da Nang have ban ships from going to sea since Nov 8, while Quang Ngai authorities are actively evacuating over 47,800 local people to safety and temporarily stop operating the Sa Ky - Ly Son waterway.

Quang Ngai, Phu Yen and Binh Dinh provinces will close schools on November 11. The latter plans to evacuate more than 14,500 households with 68,000 people out of dangerous areas before 12 pm on Nov 10.

Khanh Hoa province will relocate 3,707 households at 88 risk-prone locales to safety when the storm makes landfall.

In Phu Yen, about 6,200 people have been mobilised to participate in rescuing and coping with the typhoon. They have proactively notified fishermen to have appropriate plans returning to the sea after the storm’s dismissal.

The Quang Ngai Border Guards force helps local fishermen anchor their fishing boats.

Binh Thuan has kept contact with about 2,000 fishing boats still operating at sea. The province’s Maritime Port Authority has also informed the port operators, ship owners and captains of the storm’s evolution to make suitable production plans.

Ho Chi Minh City authorities have requested its relevant units and localities to closely monitor the development of Nakri and called on boats to evade the storm. The city has prepared a plan to relocate locals in Thanh An island commune, Can Gio district, as well as households along the rivers and sea to safe places.

Fishing boats of Phu Yen fishermen anchor safely in Tuy Hoa city.

Local people in Nhon Hai commune of Quy Nhon city place sandbags around their property in order to protect their houses from rising rainfall.

Fishing vessels and tourism boats throughout the area can be seen seeking shelter to ensure the safety of both fishermen and tourists.

A number of large stones are being used to create dykes in a bid to prevent high waves from devastating Nhon Hai commune.

Residents work hard on making improvements to Nhon Hai dyke in Quy Nhon city.

A man produces a net that is suitable for carrying a large quantity of stones. Devices like this will be crucial if the area is to have any chance of avoiding rising water levels.

Local people in Vinh Xuan Dai of Song Cau town move aquaculture cages into position ahead of the impact of the storm in an attempt to avoid serve flooding.

A man located in the southcentral province of Phu Yen uses stones and bricks to secure a roof.

With tours around the local area on boats cancelled, all of the vessels are now seeking a safe place to go.

Fishermen in Phu Yen province choose to wait out the storm inside the harbour.

Local people add protection to their homes to try and prevent flooding.

Nhan Dan/VOV/VietNamNet

Storm Nakri moving fast

Storm No. 6, internationally known as tropical cyclone Nakri, is heading towards the central-south region from Quang Ngai Province to Khanh Hoa Province, with strong winds measured at levels 11 or 12, and gusting to level 15.  

Storm Nakri rages in East Sea

Local authorities have been ordered to instruct fishing boats and other vessels in the East Sea to take shelter as Nakri, the sixth storm to strike Vietnam this year, is strengthening.