Responding to Tropical Depressions

Mr. Pham Duc Luan, Director of the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention, said that according to forecasts, the tropical depression will only bring winds up to level 6, but localities need to be aware of small boats, as allowing them to go out to sea poses a risk of accidents.

Local authorities also need to inspect drainage systems, prepare for flood control, and protect agricultural production, low-lying areas, urban areas, and industrial zones, because currently, even heavy rainfall exceeding 100mm poses a very high risk of flooding in urban areas.

"We propose that the Ministry of Transport review the roads where incidents and landslides have occurred; traffic should be rerouted, restricted, or prohibited for people to enter these roads," said the Director of the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention.

At the meeting, Mr. Hoang Phuc Lam, Deputy Director of the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting, stated that at 7:00 AM this morning, the tropical depression was located in the sea area west-southwest of the Hoang Sa archipelago. The strongest wind speed near the center of the tropical depression was level 6 (39-49 km/h).

"Today, the tropical depression maintains a level 6 wind speed, then it will gradually weaken. There is a high probability that when it reaches the central provinces of Vietnam, the wind will weaken to below level 6," Mr. Lam said.

According to information from the Border Guard Command, as of 6:30 AM today, more than 40,000 vessels with 196,000 people have been informed of the location and direction of the tropical depression to proactively take preventive measures; of which, 1,037 vessels with 6,187 people are operating in the sea area from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai and the Hoang Sa archipelago. Thua Thien Hue province has banned sea travel since the afternoon of July 14th.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep highly appreciated the forecasting and warning work of the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting; this has helped ministries, sectors, and localities to proactively direct and respond to the situation, minimizing damage.

To respond to the natural disasters expected in the coming days, especially heavy rain, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep requested that affected areas review their drainage systems, mobilize functional forces to inspect and remove obstacles causing water flow blockages, and clear waterways to minimize urban flooding.

Localities affected by low-pressure systems and low-pressure circulation need to take precautions against flash floods and landslides, minimizing the impact of these natural disasters on people's lives, livelihoods, and production.

"The tropical depression is likely to weaken, but coastal areas should be prepared for heavy rain and thunderstorms," ​​Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep noted.

The Deputy Minister also requested the Department of Irrigation to review all irrigation reservoirs and to direct localities to drain floodwaters promptly when situations arise.

Regarding the upcoming natural disaster situation, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep stated that natural disasters will continue to evolve in a complex manner. Therefore, ministries, sectors, and localities need to proactively monitor the forecasts and warnings of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Agency and the actual situation in their localities to proactively respond.

“Following the landslide in Ha Giang on July 13th which caused serious consequences, perhaps the authorities should study and strengthen recommendations to vehicles to avoid traveling at night, especially during the rainy season. If the authorities deem the traffic situation, embankments, natural disasters, etc., unsafe, they should implement a ban on people and vehicles passing through these dangerous areas, especially at night,” Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep emphasized.

Source: https://www.mard.gov.vn/Pages/ung-pho-voi-ap-thap-nhiet-doi.aspx?item=39