Tropical storm Chan-hom is forecast to hit the sea between Binh Dinh and Ninh Thuan provinces with 100km/h winds today.

The Central Meteorological Forecasting Centre said local authorities and people should be ready to tackle the effects.

The storm, which was 270km east of coastal Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan provinces at 1pm yesterday, continued to head north-east at a speed of 10km/h, causing rough seas and heavy rain in these provinces.

The National Steering Committee for Flood Control and Prevention, the National Committee for Search and Rescue, the Border Guards Command and people’s committees in the central provinces are working together to evacuate people and fishing boats from dangerous areas.

Thousands of fishing boats in the sea off Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Quang Nam, Da Nang and Quang Ngai provinces have been contacted and asked to find shelter.

The National Committee for Search and Rescue has asked 20 police boats, naval forces, search and rescue teams, and 10 aeroplanes at the Gia Lam, Tan Son Nhat, Nha Trang and Da Nang airports to be on duty round the clock.

The Border Guards Command has asked for more lifeboats for the provinces in question in case of an emergency situation.

Tomorrow, the storm is forecast to continue its north-easterly direction, but its movements are unpredictable, according to the centre.