Da Nang fishermen bring their boats ashore to avoid the storm – Photo: DOAN CUONG
The telegram stated that the tropical depression in the East Sea is still moving rapidly towards the sea and mainland of the central provinces of our country.
At 10:00 p.m. tonight (September 18), the center of the tropical depression was about 320km east of the coast of Da Nang, the strongest wind near the center of the tropical depression was level 7, gusting to level 9.
Due to the influence of the tropical depression, from 0:00 to 18:00 on September 18, the provinces in the Central Central region had heavy to very heavy rain, with rainfall ranging from 70-250mm, in some places over 250mm.
Morning of September 19th may strengthen into a storm, level 10 gusts
According to the forecast of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the tropical depression is likely to strengthen into a storm on the night of September 18. From early morning on September 19, the storm may cause strong winds and large waves along the coast and inland from Ha Tinh to Quang Nam with winds gradually increasing to level 6-7, near the storm’s center at level 8, gusting to level 10 (89-102 km/h).
The storm caused heavy rain in the area from Thanh Hoa to Binh Dinh before, during and after the storm. The development of tropical depressions, storms, and floods is still very complicated, and it is forecasted that wind level, speed, direction, area of influence and rainfall may change.
Along with the telegram dated September 17, the Prime Minister said that it is necessary to proactively respond to tropical depressions that are likely to strengthen into storms, especially the risk of heavy rain, flooding in urban areas and low-lying areas, landslides, flash floods in mountainous areas and steep slopes to ensure safety of people’s lives and limit damage to property.
Accordingly, the head of the Government requested relevant localities to closely monitor the situation and continuously update information on developments of tropical depressions, storms and floods.
Effectively direct response work in accordance with actual developments, thoroughly implement the “four on-site” motto, and proactively handle the worst possible situations.
Including calling on ships not to enter, exit from dangerous areas or return to safe shelters; ensuring safety for ships and vehicles at anchorages, cages, aquaculture watchtowers, tourist areas, and coastal services.
Implement response plans for tropical depressions, storms, floods, landslides, flash floods, ensuring safety of life, minimizing damage. Minimize damage to houses, warehouses, headquarters, schools, medical facilities, production and business facilities, dikes, dams, construction works, complete pruning and bracing of urban trees, houses, headquarters…
Proactive in all response plans
Operate and regulate hydroelectric and irrigation dams scientifically and in accordance with practice, ensuring absolute safety of works, contributing to reducing floods downstream, and preventing overlapping floods.
Proactively arrange forces, materials, and means, especially in areas expected to be directly affected by storms, floods, and key areas to be ready to respond to tropical depressions, storms, floods, and rescue.
Proactively overcome the consequences of natural disasters to quickly stabilize people’s lives, promptly restore production and business; promptly provide food, drinking water, and necessities to affected households.
The Prime Minister assigned the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment to direct the hydrometeorological forecasting agency to closely monitor the situation, forecast, and provide complete and timely information.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development organized a 24/7 duty, closely monitored the situation, proactively directed and urged localities to deploy response work.
The Minister of Transport directs the implementation of measures to ensure safety for transport vessels; ensure safety of traffic activities, implement measures to prevent and combat storms, floods, important national projects, and key transport infrastructure works under construction.
Relevant ministries and sectors operate hydroelectric and irrigation dams safely, reasonably and scientifically; rescue forces are on duty regularly, ready to save people, property and other urgent requests.