Proactively respond to tropical depression that is likely to strengthen into a storm

Telegrams sent to the Chairmen of the People's Committees of the following provinces and cities: Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Hue, Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Gia Lai; Ministries: National Defense, Public Security, Agriculture and Environment, Construction, Industry and Trade, Culture, Sports and Tourism, Science and Technology, Education and Training; Vietnam Television; Voice of Vietnam; Vietnam News Agency; Office of the National Civil Defense Steering Committee.

The dispatch stated: On the morning of August 22, 2025, the low pressure area in the East of Luzon Island (Philippines) strengthened into a tropical depression.

According to the forecast of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, tonight, the tropical depression will move into the East Sea and will likely strengthen into storm No. 5; after entering the East Sea, storm No. 5 will move quickly at a speed of about 20 km/hour. On August 24, when moving to the Hoang Sa archipelago, its intensity may reach level 10-11, gusting to level 13-14 and may even strengthen; on August 25, the storm will move into the mainland of the Central region of our country.

Due to the impact of the storm, in the northern area of ​​the East Sea (including Hoang Sa special zone) from August 23, there will be strong winds of level 6-7, then increasing to level 8-9, from August 24, strong winds of level 9-10, waves from 4-6m high, the sea area from Thanh Hoa to Da Nang will have strong storm winds of level 8, the area near the storm center will have level 11-12, gusting to level 15, the coastal area from Nghe An to Quang Tri will likely have strong winds of level 10-11, gusting to level 13-14. From the night of August 24 to the end of August 27, in the area from Thanh Hoa to Hue, there will be heavy rain, with common rainfall of 200-300mm, in some places over 600mm, rivers from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri will have floods, with the risk of flash floods, landslides and inundation in low-lying areas, riverbanks, and urban areas.

This is a strong storm, with a high possibility of making landfall directly, causing strong winds and heavy rain in the Central region of our country right during the days of preparations for the National Day on September 2. The developments of the storm and floods are still very complicated.

Continuously update information on tropical depressions, storms, floods and rains to proactively respond.

To proactively respond to tropical depressions that are likely to strengthen into storms, with the risk of heavy rain causing flooding, landslides, flash floods, the Prime Minister requests:

1. The Chairmen of the People's Committees of the above-mentioned provinces and cities shall organize regular and continuous monitoring and updating of information on developments of tropical depressions, storms, and floods, in order to proactively direct the implementation of response work in accordance with specific developments in the locality, focusing on the following tasks:

a) Coastal provinces and cities focus on directing and immediately implementing measures to ensure safety for ships, vehicles and activities at sea and along the coast, especially taking precautions against storms and lightning that can cause damage before the storm directly affects them.

b) Review and complete scenarios and plans to respond to tropical depressions, storms, floods, landslides, flash floods, and landslides according to the 4-on-the-spot motto suitable for each locality, ward, commune, village, hamlet, and residential area, especially in mountainous areas where isolation is likely to occur; proactively evacuate people from dangerous areas to ensure safety of life and limit damage to people's property when natural disasters occur.

c) Direct relevant agencies and units to closely monitor, operate scientifically and effectively, ensure the safety of hydroelectric and irrigation dams in the area, prevent overlapping floods, contribute to reducing floods downstream, and avoid unexpected passiveness.

d) Proactively arrange forces, materials and means in key areas directly affected by storms and floods to be ready to respond, rescue and salvage when situations arise; proactively stock up on food, provisions and necessities in residential areas that are prone to isolation due to floods and landslides, be ready to respond to the risk of prolonged isolation, and avoid shortages of food during storms and floods.

e) Direct and guide the implementation of measures to protect houses, warehouses, public works, infrastructure, protect production, especially agricultural and aquatic production, and limit damage caused by storms and floods.

2. The Minister of Agriculture and Environment directs the hydrometeorological forecasting agency to continue to closely monitor, proactively coordinate, and consult international forecast information to forecast and provide complete and timely information on the developments of tropical depressions/storms, floods and rains to competent authorities and people to proactively deploy response work according to regulations; proactively direct the work of ensuring the safety of dykes, irrigation dams, and protecting agricultural production; organize 24/7 on-duty to closely monitor the situation, proactively direct and urge localities to deploy response work in accordance with the actual situation, promptly report and propose to the Prime Minister to direct issues beyond their authority.

In the coming days, strengthen monitoring, regularly update weather, meteorological and hydrological forecast information in localities forecast to be affected by tropical depressions/storms; tourist centers; locations holding activities to celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day, September 2.

3. The Minister of Industry and Trade directs the work of ensuring the safety of hydroelectric dams; closely coordinates and sends updated data on hydroelectric reservoirs to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and downstream localities to proactively coordinate to ensure the safety of basins and inter-reservoirs; ensures the safety of the power system, takes proactive measures to respond to incidents in areas forecasted to be at high risk of being isolated due to flooding and landslides; protects industrial production, limits damage caused by storms and floods; ensures the supply of essential goods, prevents shortages, and takes advantage of natural disasters to unreasonably increase prices.

Proactively deploy forces and vehicles to key areas, ready to support people

4. The Ministry of National Defense directs Military Region 3, Military Region 4, Military Region 5 and relevant units to prepare plans, proactively arrange forces and mobile means to support local people in areas forecasted to be at high risk of being cut off and isolated due to the impact of storms and floods; be ready to deploy response, rescue and relief work when requested.

5. The Ministry of Public Security directs relevant units and local police forces to proactively deploy forces and vehicles to key areas, ready to support local people in areas forecast to be at high risk of being cut off and isolated due to the impact of storms and floods; ready to deploy response and rescue work when requested.

6. The Minister of Science and Technology directs telecommunications service providers (VNPT, Viettel) to proactively take measures to ensure information in areas forecasted to be at high risk of being cut off and isolated due to the impact of storms and floods; ensure smooth information connection between the central and local levels, between the provincial and commune levels, and villages, and overcome communication interruptions during storms and floods.

7. Ministers of the Ministries of Construction, Culture, Sports and Tourism, Education and Training and relevant Ministries and sectors, according to their assigned functions and tasks, shall closely monitor the situation, proactively direct and guide the implementation of response work in accordance with actual natural disaster developments, ensuring safety and minimizing damage to the sectors and fields under their management.

8. The Office of the National Civil Defense Steering Committee coordinates with the competent authorities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to closely monitor the situation, proactively review response scenarios, promptly advise competent authorities to direct and respond appropriately to the situation; be ready to coordinate and mobilize forces and means to support localities in responding to tropical depressions, storms, and floods according to assigned functions and tasks.

9. Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam News Agency and other media agencies increase broadcasting time and reporting so that people can grasp information about developments of tropical depressions, storms, floods, and instructions from authorities to proactively implement response measures and limit damage caused by natural disasters.

10. The Government Office monitors and urges ministries and localities to seriously implement this Official Dispatch; promptly reports to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in charge on urgent and arising issues./.