Typhoon Bebinca, the fourth storm to hit Vietnam this year, made landfall in the north central province of Thanh Hoa and weakened into a tropical low pressure early August 17, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

The north and north central regions have seen moderate to heavy rain (rainfall from 50mm to 150mm) since August 16 evening, posing a risk of flash flood and landslides in mountainous localities, especially Lai Chau, Son La, Hoa Binh, Yen Bai, Phu tho, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An.

The centre also warned of floods in low-lying areas and urban areas in the Red River Delta and the north central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An.

On August 16, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung made a field trip to Thanh Hoa to inspect its preparation for the storm, urging the province to mobilise all resources in order to protect the lives and property of local residents.

He asked chairpersons of the province and its districts to directly steer the evacuation work.

The Deputy PM also inspected the operation of Cua Dat reservoir in Thuong Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province.

All the 7,443 vessels and 27,747 people working at sea in Thanh Hoa had reached shelters.

VNA/VNP