HANOI, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Several coastal localities in northern and central Vietnam have banned vessels from going to sea as typhoon Ragasa approaches, Vietnam News Agency reported Wednesday.
Authorities in Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Hung Yen and Nghe An provinces imposed the ban starting at noon on Wednesday and are urging fishermen to seek safe anchorage.
Quang Ninh suspended permits for sightseeing activities at sea, while Hung Yen required aquaculture workers in low-lying areas along rivers and coastal zones to be relocated before 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday, the state-owned media reported.
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, typhoon Ragasa weakened to level 14 from level 15 and was moving toward the eastern mainland of Quang Ninh province.
The center warned that torrential rains could trigger flooding in low-lying areas, flash floods on small rivers and streams and landslides on steep slopes. ■
