Proactively respond to tropical depressions and heavy rains

*Provinces and cities in the Central, Central Highlands and Southern regions need to proactively respond to tropical depressions and heavy rains.*

According to the bulletin of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, on the afternoon of September 24, the low pressure area in the East Sea strengthened into a tropical depression; at 1:00 p.m. on September 24, the center of the tropical depression was at about 15.1 degrees North latitude; 112.8 degrees East longitude, about 200km southeast of Hoang Sa archipelago; the strongest wind near the center of the tropical depression was at level 6, gusting to level 8, moving west at a speed of 10km/h.

Forecast at 1pm on September 25, the tropical depression will be about 170km from Quang Ngai, about 230km from Da Nang, level 6-7, gusting to level 9; at 1pm on September 26, the tropical depression will be on land in the Da Nang - Quang Ngai area, level 6, gusting to level 8.

From September 25 to September 27, the Central, Central Highlands and Southern regions will have moderate rain, heavy rain and thunderstorms, and locally very heavy rain. In the North Central and Central Central regions, rainfall is generally 100-300mm/period, with some places over 350mm/period; in the South Central, Central Highlands and Southern regions, rainfall is from 100-150mm/period, with some places over 200mm/period.

To proactively respond to natural disasters and heavy rains, the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control - National Committee for Incident and Disaster Response and Search and Rescue requests the Steering Committees for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue of provinces and cities, for the coastal routes of provinces from Quang Binh to Phu Yen, to closely monitor the developments of natural disasters; Organize the counting of ships operating at sea, strictly manage means of transport going out to sea, notify owners of vehicles, captains of ships and boats operating at sea of the location, direction of movement and developments of tropical depression to proactively avoid, escape or not move into dangerous areas (Danger areas in the next 24 hours: from latitude 13.5 - 16.5 degrees North latitude, from longitude 109.0 - 114.5 degrees East longitude; in the next 48 hours: from latitude 14.0 - 17.0 degrees North latitude, west of longitude 112.0 and adjusted in forecast bulletins).

At the same time, inspect, review, and prepare plans to ensure safety for activities at sea and aquaculture; proactively prohibit going to sea and ensure safety for people and property at watchtowers and rafts depending on the development of natural disasters; prepare forces and means for rescue when required.

For the mainland areas of the Central, Central Highlands and Southern regions, the Steering Committees for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue of provinces and cities closely monitor developments of heavy rain, floods, inundation, flash floods, and landslides, promptly and fully inform authorities at all levels and people to proactively prevent, respond, and minimize damage; deploy shock forces to inspect and review residential areas along rivers, streams, and low-lying areas to proactively organize the relocation and evacuation of people in areas at high risk of deep flooding, flash floods, and landslides.

In addition, organize forces to be ready to control and guide traffic, put up warning signs, especially at culverts, spillways, deep flooded areas, and fast-flowing water; proactively arrange forces, materials, and means to overcome incidents, ensuring smooth traffic on main traffic routes when heavy rain occurs; direct the work of ensuring safety of vulnerable sea dykes or those under construction; be ready to deploy measures to drain water, protect production, and prevent flooding in urban areas and industrial parks.

In addition, inspect, review, and deploy operation plans and ensure the safety of reservoirs and downstream areas, especially small hydropower reservoirs and important irrigation reservoirs; arrange permanent forces to operate and regulate and be ready to handle possible situations.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment closely monitors, strengthens forecasts, warnings and timely information on developments of natural disasters, floods, flash floods and landslides.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development directs the work of ensuring safety of fishing vessels and aquaculture; safety of dykes, irrigation dams, especially key works under construction; and protection of agricultural production.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade directs the work of ensuring the safety of hydroelectric dams and downstream areas when releasing floodwaters, especially small hydroelectric plants; and is ready to promptly restore the power system in case of incidents.

The Ministry of Transport directs the work of ensuring safety for transport vessels; directs timely handling of incidents, ensuring traffic on main routes.

Ministries and branches, according to their assigned functions and tasks, direct measures to be ready to respond when bad situations occur. Prepare forces and means for rescue when requested.

Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam News Agency and mass media agencies from central to local levels should strengthen measures to inform authorities at all levels, owners of vehicles operating at sea and people about the developments of natural disasters so that they can proactively prevent and respond.

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