Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee held an urgent meeting with 130 communes and wards to respond to storm No. 5.

On the afternoon of August 23, comrade Le Hong Vinh - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention - Search and Rescue and Civil Defense of Nghe An province chaired an urgent meeting with departments, branches and 130 communes and wards to deploy measures to respond to storm No. 5 (international name Kajiki).

Storm No. 5 moves very fast and increases in intensity very strongly.

The tropical depression in the eastern sea of ​​the northern East Sea has strengthened into a storm this morning, August 23. Storm No. 5 is forecast to move very quickly and increase in intensity very strongly, causing rain and strong winds on the North Central coast from tomorrow night (August 24), focusing on Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri.

It is forecasted that on August 25, the storm will make landfall in the area from Nghe An to Quang Tri with very strong intensity, then move deep into Central Laos, gradually weakening into a tropical depression.

According to forecast information from the Provincial Hydrometeorological Station, from the afternoon of August 24, the sea area of ​​Nghe An province (including Hon Ngu island) will have winds gradually increasing to level 6 - 8, then increasing to level 9 - 10, the area near the storm center will be level 11 - 12, gusting to level 15; waves 4 - 6m high, the area near the storm center will be 6 - 8m. The sea will be very rough.

From the night of August 24, on the mainland of Nghe An province, winds will gradually increase to level 7-9, near the storm center level 10-12, gusting to level 14.

From the night of August 24 to the end of August 26, it is forecasted that Nghe An province will likely experience heavy to very heavy rain with widespread rainfall of 150 - 300mm, locally over 500mm. Warning of the risk of heavy rain (>200mm/3 hours).

Strictly implementing the Prime Minister's telegram and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment's document on proactive response, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee has directed the issuance of a telegram on focusing on responding to storm No. 5 and floods caused by storm circulation. Up to now, Nghe An province has been implementing response work very urgently.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee has issued an urgent dispatch prohibiting all ships, boats and means of transport from going to sea from 5:00 a.m. on August 24, 2025. Ships and boats operating at sea must return to shore and anchor to ensure safety before 10:00 a.m. on August 24, 2025.

Nghe An province has over 1,061 large and small lakes and dams that are being operated by localities and units according to approved disaster prevention and control plans. Regarding 23 hydropower reservoirs in operation, they are currently operating normally according to the procedures approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the People's Committee of Nghe An province. In particular, the province has requested that from 3:30 p.m. this afternoon (August 23), Ban Ve Hydropower Company operate to regulate discharge for the downstream area.

Nghe An has also requested localities to review and prepare plans to evacuate households in dangerous areas, areas with landslides, areas at high risk of landslides, flash floods, and deep flooding to safe places; absolutely do not let people stay on rafts during storms and floods.

At the meeting, Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee Le Hong Vinh directly listened to reports from communes and wards from coastal areas to the West on the implementation of storm prevention and control plans. Through the opinions, it can be seen that the "4 on-site" motto (on-site command, on-site forces, on-site means, on-site logistics) is being thoroughly grasped and vigorously implemented by localities.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van De requested coastal localities to closely coordinate with border guards, police, and the army to manage ships and boats, resolutely bring vehicles to safe shelters, and absolutely not let fishermen stay offshore. In the midland area, it is necessary to check, trim trees, and reinforce houses, especially civil works, to avoid damage during big storms.

In mountainous areas, it is necessary to closely monitor warnings and organize evacuation of people from dangerous areas at risk of landslides and flash floods. He also emphasized the need to check lakes, dams, and irrigation works, proactively regulate, ensure smooth traffic and timely communication.

Be proactive in every situation

Concluding the meeting, Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee Le Hong Vinh emphasized the highest requirement is to proactively respond and ensure the safety of people's lives and property.

He directed departments, branches, sectors and commune and ward authorities to strengthen information and propaganda in many forms, especially taking advantage of the grassroots loudspeaker system to promptly update developments and check and monitor response implementation.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the development and implementation of specific response scenarios for storm and storm circulation No. 5. Commune and ward leaders must closely monitor forecast bulletins and regularly update the people; at the same time, provide guidance on skills and measures to prevent strong winds, flash floods, inundation and landslides.

For coastal localities, it is necessary to urgently deploy measures to ensure safety for ships, boats, and fishing equipment, especially to be alert to the risk of storms, tornadoes, and lightning. At the same time, it is necessary to develop a plan to protect the safety of tourists in tourist areas, and resolutely not let people subjectively swim in the sea when the storm is approaching.

For mountainous districts, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee noted that it is necessary to base on the flood markers during the recent storm No. 3 to proactively plan to evacuate people from areas at risk of flash floods, landslides, and deep flooding. At the same time, it is necessary to stock up on food and essential necessities to ensure people's lives for at least 1 week after evacuation.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Hong Vinh also requested localities to proactively arrange forces, materials and means in key areas to be ready to respond, rescue and salvage. Sectors and localities must focus on implementing measures to protect houses, warehouses, public works, infrastructure, agricultural, industrial and fishery production to minimize damage.

In particular, he emphasized the need to inspect, review, and prepare plans for dyke protection and flood prevention according to the "4 on-site" principle. Localities must arrange forces to guard and control people and vehicles passing through culverts, spillways, deeply flooded areas, areas with strong currents or at risk of landslides, especially those that are dealing with the consequences of storm No. 3. Resolutely do not let people and vehicles pass through when safety is not guaranteed, to avoid unfortunate damage due to subjectivity and carelessness.

In addition, the head of the People's Committee of Nghe An province also requested to prepare forces, materials, and means to promptly fix problems and ensure smooth traffic on main routes when there is heavy rain. Relevant departments and branches must inspect and review key works and unfinished projects, especially those that are overcoming the consequences of storm No. 3; at the same time, strictly manage small reservoirs that are full of water and be ready to operate and regulate to ensure safety.

Regarding production, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee directed the preparation of timely drainage plans for agricultural areas, industrial parks, urban areas and concentrated residential areas.

Agencies and units must organize 24/7 duty to monitor natural disaster developments and promptly deploy response measures; during this time, unnecessary events with large crowds should not be organized.

On that basis, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee assigned specific tasks to relevant departments, branches, units, enterprises and agencies. Comrade Le Hong Vinh especially emphasized the requirement to operate and regulate reservoirs, hydroelectric dams, and irrigation scientifically, effectively, and closely following actual developments to ensure absolute safety of the works, while at the same time contributing to reducing floods downstream, avoiding passivity and surprises.

In addition, units need to ensure uninterrupted communication, especially in areas at high risk of being isolated by storms and floods, to maintain timely connections between the province and the grassroots.

Before concluding the meeting, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Hong Vinh once again emphasized the "4 on-site" motto in responding to natural disasters.

He requested that leaders of departments, branches, and local authorities be truly proactive in all situations, considering this a decisive factor in minimizing damage.

"Anything that can be handled at the grassroots level must be done immediately," he said, suggesting promoting the highest sense of responsibility, preparing thoroughly, and developing optimal response plans.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee expressed his belief that, with proactiveness and determination, Nghe An will not let any human losses occur, promoting the spirit of "going to every alley, knocking on every door" to absolutely protect the safety of the people.