Typhoon Maysak, which threatened central Viet Nam over the weekend, has moved south and weakened to the level of tropical depression, according to a report from the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecast.
The centre predicted that the tropical depression would move south and southwest, of the country's southwestern region, today at a speed of between 10 and 15km per hour.
The northern and central areas of the East Sea will continue to see strong winds, at levels 6 and 7, and rough seas.
The centre's director, Bui Minh Tang said that the typhoon early yesterday had moved north of the northeastern region.
The National Steering Committee on Storm and Flood Control last Saturday called on its local branches to closely manage vessel activity in the open sea and keep contact with off-shore vessels.
They stressed on the necessity to check on water levels of reservoirs and ensure the safety of construction projects near rivers and streams.
As of Saturday, more than 23,500 vessels with nearly 119,000 fishermen out at sea had received information on the typhoon, of which 106 vessels with 982 fishermen were in the area of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa islands.
Aid arrives
Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan and Ha Noi City's laders yesterday visited and delivered relief aid to people in flooded Tan Chau and Van Khe communes where are mostly isolated from the outside in Me Linh District.
Besides effort to help local residents overcome damage by flood and provide them with foods and medicine, Doan reminded the district's leaders to quickly clean up environment right after the flood had gone down and prevent disease epidemic for people.
A local statistic showed that the flood had killed five people in the district. There were five houses and ten irrigation works were damaged, nearly 4,600 ha of subsidiary crop destroyed and nearly 269 ha of aquaculture submerged.
Until yesterday, there were many residential places submerged.
Ha Noi lets water out
Chairman of Ha Noi People's Committee Nguyen The Thao yesterday asked the chairmen of district people's committees and directors of Nhue, Day and Tich river management companies to use the full capacity of available pump stations to pump water from fields to the rivers.
It was reported that water levels in Da and Hong (Red) rivers on going down. The water level in Hong River in Ha Noi was yesterday measured at 8.41m, 1.09m lower than warning level 1. The level in Nhue River increased to 4.42m, just 0.02 m higher than warning level 2, because it had to contain water from flooded areas.
Dealing with the changing weather, the city has launched a clean-up campaign to prevent epidemics in the area. At the same time, relevant sectors carried out inspection on food hygiene and safety and listed needy families to give them aid in time.
The city's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has co-ordinated with districts to assess losses in production, trade and agricultural service and then ask the Government for support in recovery in these areas.
Phuong Lan - Thu Phuong.