Hanoi, July 18 -- With tropical storm Wipha expected to enter the East Sea on July 19 and potentially strike Vietnam's mainland by July 21, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep called for urgent preparations.

The storm is forecast to bring torrential rains, particularly to the northwestern region, threatening widespread flooding, Hiep said at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment's meeting in Hanoi on July 17.

Hiep asked the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting to closely track the storm's path and offer timely updates to authorities and the public.

He also tasked the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention with coordinating response efforts of ministries and affected regi...