Proactive response to Typhoon No. 1 (TALIM)

On the morning of July 17, the National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control held an online conference with 27 northern provinces and cities to direct the response to Typhoon No. 1 (TALIM) and the subsequent floods.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, Head of the National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control, chaired the conference. At the Bac Ninh branch, Ms. Nguyen Huong Giang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, and Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue (PCTT&TKCN), presided.

Comrade Nguyen Huong Giang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, and Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue, directed the meeting from the Bac Ninh branch.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, at 04:00 on July 17th, the center of Typhoon No. 1 was located at approximately 20.0 degrees North latitude and 113.5 degrees East longitude, about 340km east-southeast of the Leizhou Peninsula (China). The strongest winds near the center of the typhoon were at level 11-12 (103-133 km/h), with gusts up to level 15. Forecasts indicate that in the next 24-72 hours, Typhoon No. 1 will move west-northwest at a speed of 15-20 km/h, and is likely to intensify further.

Due to the influence of Typhoon No. 1, strong winds, storm surges, and large waves are expected in the coastal provinces of Northern Vietnam, both at sea and inland. From the night of July 17th to July 20th, heavy to very heavy rain is forecast, with rainfall amounts generally ranging from 200-400 mm, and in some localized areas exceeding 500 mm. Moderate to heavy rain is forecast in Central Vietnam, with rainfall amounts generally ranging from 100-200 mm; specifically, Bac Ninh province is expected to receive 150-250 mm, potentially causing localized flooding in urban areas and newly planted rice fields. The risk of flash floods and landslides is also high from July 18th in Northern Vietnam, particularly in Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Lao Cai, and Yen Bai provinces. Be prepared for heavy rainfall causing urban flooding.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang requested the National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control, ministries, sectors, and People's Committees of provinces and cities to strictly implement Prime Minister's Directive No. 646/CĐ-TTg dated July 16, 2023, absolutely avoiding complacency and negligence, and decisively directing the implementation of response measures to storms and floods. Based on the actual situation and the potential impact of storms and floods in their localities, provinces and cities should focus on directing and proactively providing timely information and guidance to people on responding to storms and floods, ensuring safety for activities at sea, on islands, in coastal areas, inland, and in mountainous regions.

At the Bac Ninh provincial meeting point, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Nguyen Huong Giang, requested the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue, and the district, town, and city authorities to absolutely avoid complacency and negligence; closely monitor the developments of the storm, proactively respond to rain and floods; organize a serious 24/7 duty roster; inspect and implement patrol and guard plans to ensure the safety of dikes, irrigation works, and construction projects along and on rivers. They were also instructed to review, inspect, and supervise the clearing of drainage channels in the area to prepare for flood drainage in low-lying areas, urban areas, industrial zones, and agricultural production areas; paying particular attention to checking temporary dams and temporary structures blocking the canal system. Proactively pump out excess water to minimize flooding in rice seedling and newly planted rice fields in the area, and operate the irrigation system and sluices under the dikes according to approved procedures to ensure the safety of the structures.

Inform investors, construction companies working on the river, aquaculture farmers, and waterway operators about weather developments and flood conditions along the riverbanks so they can take measures to ensure the safety of people and property.

Organize a review and inspection of the tree system to plan for pruning and felling trees at risk of falling, ensuring safety for people and vehicles. Implement measures to protect production, especially newly planted rice seedlings and rice plants, and urgently harvest any crops (if any) to minimize damage.

Bac Ninh Power Company immediately implemented a plan to ensure electricity supply to drainage pumping stations, allowing them to operate 24/7. Bac Ninh Newspaper, the provincial Radio and Television Station, and the provincial electronic information portal regularly updated on the storm's developments and increased the airtime for reporting on the storm through mass media so that all levels of government and the people could proactively respond.

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