The depression, which is moving towards the southern coasts from Ca Mau to Kien Giang provinces at a speed of 15-20km/h, will dump heavy rains on these provinces, according to the National Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Centre.

After making landfall, the depression will weaken and continue to lash the region with rains in the next two days, says the centre.

In an urgent telegram on January 19, the National Committee for Flood and Storm Control asked south-central and southern coastal provinces to inform fishing vessels at sea about the positions and directions of the depression to seek storm shelters and escape the danger areas.

These provinces were urged to reinforce public works, evacuate local residents from flood prone areas, protect regional dams and pump out rainwater from low-lying areas to save crops.

Meanwhile, another strong cold front is moving towards northern Vietnam and it is forecast to reach border provinces on the evening of January 21.