Storm prevention No. 5: Plastic bags, mini gas stoves 'sold out' in Nghe An

Plastic bags and steel ropes for mooring boats are in high demand.

One of the popular ways to prevent storms in recent years is to use large plastic bags, filled with water to cover the metal roof. This method is applied by many households because it is both convenient and effective.

Mr. Nguyen Phuc Thinh (Trung Loc commune) was struggling to pull the water pipe into the bag and explained: “In the past, our people used to use sacks and cement bags to scoop sand up to the roof to cover the corrugated iron roof. But each sandbag was heavy, and it was very difficult to carry it up to the roof. Now we have switched to using plastic bags filled with water, which is much lighter. All you need is a hose, and it takes a few minutes to do it, and it is just as effective as a sandbag.”

This convenience has made thick, large-capacity plastic bags the most popular item in recent days. Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet - owner of an agency in Nghi Loc commune shared: "In the past two days, the number of customers has increased 3-5 times compared to normal days. The popular type is the transparent, thick bag, with a capacity of 40-60 liters. Each bag costs 3-6 thousand VND, depending on the type. As soon as the goods arrive, they are sold out."

The method of using water bags to protect against storms is now not only popular in rural areas but also spread to urban residential areas. Many families have prepared dozens of plastic bags, waiting to fill the roof with water as soon as the storm starts to get strong. Plastic bag dealers in the area of ​​Tran Phu Street, Ngo Duc Ke Street... (Truong Vinh Ward) are also bustling with buyers.

Not only houses, in coastal areas, the work of mooring ships, boats, and warehouses also makes the market of ropes, cables, and turnbuckles become bustling. Large rolls of steel wire and new turnbuckles are hung everywhere in coastal shops, waiting for customers to buy.

People believe that “prevention is better than cure”, it is better to spend a little more money than to suffer many times the damage. Fisherman Nguyen Bui Huan (Hai Loc commune) said: “Every rainy and stormy season, just the money to buy reinforcing ropes costs millions of dong. But we cannot save, because if we do not anchor tightly, the waves will wash away the cages and rafts, causing even greater damage”.

Rechargeable devices "reign"

Storms often come with power outages, something that people, especially in rural areas, have been familiar with for many years. Therefore, many families are rushing to buy lighting equipment and backup power sources.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Dan (Bich Hao commune) said: "When the storm comes, there will definitely be a power outage. There are small children in the house, so I bought a few flashlights and rechargeable LED lights. Having light makes daily activities less difficult, especially at night."

On a larger scale, livestock farmers are also increasing their purchases of generators. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Hong, owner of a farm in Van Kieu commune, said: “Raising thousands of chickens, if there is a power outage, the ventilation fan system stops running, and the risk of the chickens suffocating is very high. Therefore, I bought a small generator, enough to maintain the fan and water pump, as a 'lifesaver' for the chickens every time there is a storm.”

Electronics supermarkets have recorded a sharp increase in sales of generators and rechargeable lamps in the past few days. Some small-capacity mini generators have even “sold out”.

Unlike before, in the city, most households are used to using induction cookers and infrared cookers. However, when information about storm No. 5 is likely to cause long-term power outages, many people rushed to buy mini gas stoves for backup cooking.

Ms. Do Thi Hong Quyen, in Vinh Phu ward, shared: “My family almost always uses electricity, from cooking rice, boiling water to cooking. If there is a power outage, it will be paralyzed. So, I bought an additional mini gas stove and 2 gas cylinders to keep ready. Even though it is only temporary, it still helps me feel more secure.”

According to Ms. Tran Thi Thuy - owner of a household store on Le Viet Thuat Street (Vinh Loc Ward), in just one day, the store sold more than 100 mini gas stoves and hundreds of accompanying gas cylinders. Prices range from 120,000 to 200,000 VND/unit, mini gas cylinders from 18,000 to 25,000 VND. "Customers buy mainly to have in case of power outages, the demand is many times higher than normal days," Ms. Thuy said.

In fact, the rainy season occurs every year. However, many families have the habit of waiting until they hear that a storm is approaching before rushing to buy things, leading to shortages and increased costs. Therefore, people need to have a backup plan early, shopping according to practical needs, avoiding being both costly and passive. Equipment such as plastic bags, ropes, rechargeable lamps, generators or mini gas stoves are all useful if prepared at the right time and in the right way.