Prime Minister's directive on responding to Typhoon Rammasun

On July 17th, the Prime Minister issued Official Dispatch No. 1245/CĐ-TTg directing the response to Typhoon No. 2 (Rammasun).

Heavy rains caused flooding on many streets in Hanoi due to the impact of Typhoon No. 2. (Photo: The Duyet/VNA)

The official dispatch stated that Typhoon No. 2 (international name Rammasun) is continuing to strengthen, with maximum wind speeds near the center of the storm reaching level 13, gusting to levels 15 and 16, and moving rapidly towards the mainland.

On July 18-19, the storm will directly affect the Gulf of Tonkin and the northern provinces, with maximum wind speeds near the storm's center reaching levels 11 and 12, gusting to levels 13 and 14, accompanied by widespread heavy rain.

This is a very strong, fast-moving storm with complex developments, requiring precautions against landfall earlier than predicted. To proactively respond, the Prime Minister requests that the People's Committees of provinces and cities, and relevant ministries, agencies, and organizations postpone non-essential meetings to focus on directing the response to the storm; review and revise storm prevention and control plans, especially the "four on-the-spot" principles; closely monitor the storm's developments and rainfall; enhance public awareness to enable proactive storm prevention and control; and implement comprehensive storm prevention and control measures to minimize damage.

Localities at risk of being directly affected by storms and floods should immediately implement measures to ensure the safety of structures, especially dikes, dams, unfinished construction projects, and reservoirs at risk of failure; direct and guide the reinforcement of houses, warehouses, and structures to minimize damage; based on the specific developments of the storm, proactively direct students to stay home from school to ensure safety; and implement solutions to prevent flooding in urban areas and protect agricultural production.

Coastal provinces and cities, in coordination with border guards and relevant units, shall use all means and methods to inform ships at sea about the storm's developments, guide and urge them to seek safe shelter or evacuate from dangerous areas; organize and guide the relocation and anchoring of ships (including tourist boats), aquaculture cages, and floating houses to ensure safety.

Based on the development of the storm and the local situation, it has been decided to prohibit ships from going out to sea; ships operating in the Gulf of Tonkin and the sea area from Quang Ninh to Thanh Hoa must return to shore and anchor by July 17th.

Review and proactively carry out evacuation and relocation of people in dangerous areas such as low-lying coastal areas, river mouths, areas prone to deep flooding and high risk of landslides, and on boats, rafts, and aquaculture watchtowers, completing this before 4 PM on July 18th.

The provinces in the midland and mountainous regions are focusing on inspecting and reviewing areas at risk of landslides and flash floods to proactively evacuate and relocate people to ensure safety; assigning personnel to guard and guide traffic in areas at risk of deep flooding and strong currents, especially at underpasses and spillways.

The Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue monitoring and coordinating with relevant agencies to gather information on vessels and proactively contact countries and territories to assist fishermen in avoiding the storm.

The Ministry of Transport has directed coastal information stations to closely monitor the storm's developments to inform ships operating at sea; organize guidance on safe movement and anchoring for transport vessels (including large transport ships and coastal vessels); direct the immediate implementation of measures to ensure the safety of passengers and transport vehicles, especially in areas affected by the storm; and prepare forces, equipment, and supplies to promptly address the consequences and ensure smooth traffic flow.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has directed the implementation of measures to protect dikes and irrigation dams, arrange for the mooring of boats, implement drainage measures to prevent flooding, and halt rice planting in localities at risk of flooding due to storms and heavy rain.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has directed relevant agencies to develop plans to ensure the safety of people and equipment on oil and gas exploration and exploitation sites; to operate hydropower reservoirs and power transmission systems safely; and to ensure sufficient food reserves to serve the people when needed, especially in areas at risk of being isolated.

The National Committee for Search and Rescue, Ministry of National Defence, directs border guard forces and coast guard to coordinate with relevant agencies and local authorities to continue guiding and urging ships to seek shelter from the storm, especially those in dangerous areas; proactively deploy forces and resources to be ready to assist in evacuating people and carrying out search and rescue operations when required.

The Ministry of Public Security has directed local police forces to ensure security and order in disaster-stricken areas, proactively prohibit traffic on roads when the storm hits if necessary, be ready to assist in evacuating people, and coordinate rescue efforts when required; deploy forces to guard, control, and guide traffic through flooded areas, especially through underpasses and spillways.

The Ministry of Information and Communications directs, organizes, and deploys fixed and mobile forces on standby in storm and flood-affected areas to promptly handle situations and ensure uninterrupted communication in all circumstances.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has directed the National Center for Hydrometeorology to continue monitoring the storm's developments; and to regularly update information so that people can proactively take preventive measures.

The Prime Minister requested that other ministries and agencies, according to their functions and duties, be responsible for directing, coordinating, and guiding localities to immediately implement plans to cope with Typhoon No. 2; and at the same time, prepare necessary forces, equipment, and supplies to deal with the typhoon and floods.

The Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam Television, Nhan Dan Newspaper, Vietnam News Agency, and other central and local mass media agencies should increase broadcasting time; regularly inform about changes in the storm's direction and intensity so that ministries, sectors, localities, and the people are aware and can proactively take preventive measures.

The Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control maintains a permanent monitoring and compilation system for storm and flood developments, and urges ministries, sectors, and localities to implement measures to cope with storms and floods.

The Prime Minister has dispatched a working group from the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control and the National Committee for Search and Rescue to inspect, supervise, and direct localities in implementing storm response measures.

According to Vietnam+