The Central Steering Committee on natural disaster prevention and control has issued an emergency dispatch in response to tropical storm Conson. 

The projected path of tropical storm Conson

At 7 a.m., September 8, Conson was churning outside the central region of the Philippines, packing winds of between 75-90kph near its eye, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF). 

In the next 24 hours, the storm is projected to move north-west into the East Sea at a speed of 10-15kph, said the center.

In the following 48-72 hours, Conson is forecast to retain its direction toward the northern coast of Viet Nam and likely to become stronger, with winds gusting up to 120kph near its center.

It is anticipated to make landfall on September 13, causing rough seas and heavy rain.

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting raised the warning level of disaster risks in the areas to be hit by the storm.

In late August, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked ministries, sectors and localities to stay ready to respond to natural disasters as it is the peak time of storms and floods.  

The Government leader requested the National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control and the National Committee for Disaster Response and Search and Rescue to direct ministries, sectors and localities to review and update response plans, and instruct the operation of reservoirs and the effective exploitation of water resources in order to actively respond to natural disasters, protect people's lives, and minimize losses, especially amidst the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting, natural disasters continue to develop complicatedly and unpredictably. From now until the year-end, 7-9 storms and tropical depressions are expected to be formed in the East Sea, of which three or four will have direct impacts on Viet Nam.