HANOI - Central Vietnam localities from Thanh Hoa province to Hue city are facing high risks of flash floods, landslides and flooding as Typhoon Nongfa approaches, Vietnam News Agency reported Saturday.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Saturday instructed localities to call on and guide vessels to return to safe shelters. Authorities were also urged to deploy forces, equipment and supplies to key areas to ensure timely response, rescue and relief operations.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Nongfa, the sixth typhoon to hit Vietnam this year, weakened into a tropical depression on Saturday afternoon after making landfall in the northern part of Quang Tri province and the southern part of Ha Tinh province.

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The center added that coastal mainland areas in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces have recorded strong winds of up to 61 km per hour, with gusts reaching up to 88 km per hour, said the center.