The world's strongest super typhoon
On the afternoon of September 23, the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) issued an urgent report on the situation of Typhoon No. 9, emphasizing that this is the strongest super typhoon in the world until 2025. This typhoon has a wide circulation, causing extremely rough seas in the northern East Sea area, with waves over 10 meters high.
According to data updated late afternoon on September 23rd, the center of Super Typhoon Ragasa has moved to approximately 20.6 degrees North latitude and 116.7 degrees East longitude, in the northeastern part of the South China Sea. The strongest winds near the center of the super typhoon are at level 16 (184-201 km/h), with gusts exceeding level 17. From noon to afternoon on September 25th, the typhoon's center is likely to make landfall in Vietnam, primarily between Quang Ninh and Hung Yen provinces.
The National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting predicts that the storm's intensity will remain very strong (level 15-16) until this morning, September 24th, before gradually weakening as it approaches mainland China. However, upon entering the Gulf of Tonkin, the storm will be at level 11-12.
At noon on September 23, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment sent an urgent dispatch to the People's Committees of 7 coastal provinces and cities from Quang Ninh to Ha Tinh regarding the implementation of measures to ensure the safety of dike systems in response to Typhoon No. 9 and heavy rain and floods.
The Ministry requested localities to urgently inspect, review, reinforce, and protect critical dike sections, especially those directly facing the sea, such as the K10-K15 dike in Ha Nam (Quang Ninh); the Nam Hai embankment (Hai Phong); the Dong Minh dike (Hung Yen); the Binh Minh sea dike (Ninh Binh); the Quang Nham and Hai Binh dikes (Thanh Hoa); the Dien Thanh and Quynh Tho dikes (Nghe An); the Hoi Thong dike and Cam Nhuong embankment (Ha Tinh)... These are provinces and cities with crucial sea dike systems that directly face the risk of being affected by Typhoon Ragasa.
Responding to Typhoon No. 9 at the highest level, remaining vigilant against Typhoon No. 10.
On the afternoon of September 23, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed dispatch No. 171/CĐ-TTg directing the focused implementation of measures to respond to Typhoon No. 9. The Prime Minister requested relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to implement response measures to Typhoon No. 9 with the most decisive spirit, proactively responding at the highest level, anticipating the worst-case scenario, and avoiding being caught off guard.
The Party Secretaries and Chairmen of the People's Committees of the relevant provinces and cities, especially coastal localities from Quang Ninh to Thanh Hoa (where strong winds are predicted), are directed to focus on leading and directing the implementation of measures to respond to the super typhoon; ensuring the safety of people's lives. The Minister of Agriculture and Environment is directed to forecast and provide the most complete, timely, and accurate information on the development and impact of the typhoon, and to warn of the worst-case scenarios (including the risk of Typhoon No. 10 appearing in the East Sea immediately after Typhoon No. 9 makes landfall) so that relevant agencies and the people are aware and can proactively implement appropriate and effective response measures.
PHAN THAO
Typhoon No. 9 is forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rain to Hanoi. The Hanoi Department of Construction has requested the Hanoi Drainage Company to strengthen control and drainage at frequently flooded areas, underpasses, and main traffic arteries. The Parks and Greenery Company is tasked with securing newly planted trees, pruning, and promptly clearing fallen trees. The Lighting and Urban Equipment Company is to maintain lighting at a minimum of 98% and quickly address any problems caused by the storm.
Ensure 100% of vessels take shelter safely.
On September 23, Mr. Nguyen Sinh Luong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Van Don Special Economic Zone, Quang Ninh province, said that the local authorities had instructed all forces to absolutely avoid complacency and implement the "3 before, 4 in place" principle. By the afternoon of the same day, all fishing vessels in the special economic zone had moved to safe mooring areas.
At Cai Rong port area, 251 vessels of all types have anchored to take shelter from the storm, including 49 fishing boats from other provinces; 57 aquaculture cages have been secured and reinforced by households, who have committed to moving all people ashore before 12:00 PM on September 24th.
The Co To Special Zone (Quang Ninh province) is also urgently implementing measures to respond to Typhoon No. 9. The Tran Island Border Guard Post has dispatched two task forces with dozens of officers and soldiers to Tran village to help residents secure their aquaculture cages and rafts to minimize damage from the storm. The unit has also urged and encouraged 16 vessels and 37 fishermen to seek safe shelter.
Storm after storm in the South China Sea
In a report submitted to the National Steering Committee for Civil Defense, the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology also provided additional information, stating that a new tropical depression has formed east of the Philippines, forecast to potentially strengthen into Typhoon No. 10 and enter the East Sea from September 27th. At this time, forecast scenarios for this typhoon are still scattered, with the most likely scenario being that Typhoon No. 10 will head towards the central mainland of Vietnam.
Prepared to provide emergency assistance to victims of storms and floods.
On September 23rd, the Ministry of Health issued an urgent dispatch to the Departments of Health in provinces and cities in the Northern and Central regions, as well as affiliated units, requesting them to respond to Typhoon No. 9. The Ministry of Health directed health units to organize 24/7 professional and emergency duty; be ready to receive and treat victims of rain and floods; and ensure sufficient supply of essential medicines.
Many international flights have been delayed or canceled.
On September 23, Vietnam Airlines adjusted the flight paths of flights between Vietnam and Northeast Asia to avoid the impact of Typhoon No. 9. The airline also canceled flights between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong (China); and Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Guangzhou (China) on September 23 and 24. Flights to and from Cat Bi Airport (Hai Phong) had their departure and arrival times adjusted to before 11:00 AM on September 24.
Similarly, Vietjet Airlines also canceled four flights on September 23rd on the Da Nang - Macau (China) and Ho Chi Minh City - Hong Kong (China) routes.
The Thanh Lan Border Guard Station, in coordination with the police force and working groups of the Co To Special Zone, disseminated information and guided people to reinforce their aquaculture cages and move boats to safe shelters. At the same time, border guards in Co To fired flares to warn ships operating at sea about the approaching storm so they could find safe places to take shelter. By noon on September 23rd, working groups of the Co To Special Zone had successfully persuaded 191 vessels, boats, and aquaculture cages to move into the harbor to take shelter from Typhoon No. 9.
On September 23, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong City People's Committee Tran Van Quan chaired an online meeting with localities to implement measures to prevent and mitigate the effects of the super typhoon. Hai Phong City currently has 43 dike lines with a total length of over 790km, including 75 critical and vulnerable dike locations. These critical areas have had their protection plans developed and approved by communes, wards, and special zones based on the "four on-the-spot" principle. According to the Hai Phong City Border Guard Command, the unit has coordinated the counting and notification of the typhoon's developments to 1,604 vessels, 271 fish cages, and 3 watchtowers currently operating and anchored, enabling them to proactively take preventive measures. The Border Guard ensures that 100% of vessels in Hai Phong's waters are safely sheltered.
China: Many areas affected.
On September 23, Guangdong province in southern China raised its emergency response level to the highest level as Super Typhoon Ragasa was forecast to make landfall in the province's coastal areas within the next 24 hours as a strong or super typhoon.
According to China's Ministry of Emergency Management, this powerful storm is expected to make landfall in the coastal region of Guangdong from noon to late evening on September 24th. Many areas in Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang provinces are forecast to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall.
In the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, authorities issued a Category 8 storm alert – the third highest level (on a five-level scale) – urging most businesses and transport services to cease operations. Authorities urged residents to stay indoors, while people rushed to supermarkets to stock up on essential supplies, fearing stores would close for two days. According to the Hong Kong Observatory, Typhoon Ragasa brought winds of up to 220 km/h, posing a “serious threat to the Guangdong coast” – the province bordering the special administrative region.
In Macau, all casinos were forced to close before 5 p.m. (local time) as authorities raised the storm warning to level 8. In Taiwan, nearly 60cm of rain was recorded in the eastern mountainous region, 25 people were injured, and transportation disruptions lasted for two days, September 22 and 23, with 273 flights canceled.
VIET LE
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/du-bao-trua-den-chieu-25-9-bao-so-9-do-bo-dat-lien-post814414.html
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