Urgent telegram of the Provincial People's Committee Chairman on responding to storm No. 3

The content of the telegram clearly states:According to news from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting,at 7:00 a.m. on July 18,The center of storm No. 3 is located at about 18.8 degrees North latitude; 109.5 degrees East longitude, in the area west of Hainan Island, about 390km east of the mainland provinces from Thai Binh to Ha Tinh. The strongest wind near the center of the storm is level 9 (75-90km/hour).),level 11.

Forecast for the next 24 hours,The storm is moving rapidly to the West, about 25-30km per hour;Around this evening (July 18), the storm center with strong winds of level 8, gusting to level 10 will directly affect coastal areas of provinces from Thai Binh to Ha Tinh..

Forecast for provinces from Thanh Hoa to Quang BinhThere will be very heavy rain and it will last until about July 20 (common rainfall 100-300mm/period, some places over 350mm).

Heavy rain flooded many streets in Vinh city on the morning of July 17, 2018. Photo courtesy

To proactively respond to storms and floods, minimize damage, the Chairman of the People's Committee - Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue requests the Chairman of the People's Committee - Head of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of districts, cities and towns; the Provincial Military Command, the Provincial Border Guard Command, members of the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue; Directors of Departments, Heads of Provincial-level Committees and branches, Directors of irrigation companies, Directors of hydropower companies in the province and related units to urgently implement the following contents:

1. Continue to seriously implement the contents of Official Dispatch No. 11/CD-TW dated July 16, 2018; No. 12/CD-TW dated July 17, 2018 of the Central Steering Committee on Disaster Prevention and Control; Official Dispatch No. 05 dated July 16, 2018; 06 dated July 17, 2018 of the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue.

2. The North Central Hydrometeorological Station continues to monitor and regularly update developments of storms, floods and rains; promptly inform the Provincial People's Committee, the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control and localities and units to direct and deploy response to storms and floods.

3. Continue to count and call on boats to return to safe shelters, provide instructions on arranging and anchoring boats safely at shelters, and absolutely do not leave people on ships, boats, or aquaculture cages during storms.

4. Chairmen of People's Committees of districts, cities and towns inspect and decide on the evacuation of people, especially in coastal areas, river mouths, areas at risk of deep flooding; apartment buildings, dilapidated high-rise buildings, areas at risk of landslides... according to approved scenarios.

5. Mobilize forces to support people in securing houses, warehouses, schools, hospitals, offices, trees, and signs. Especially ensure the safety of construction works using tower cranes, antenna poles, etc.

6. Check and prepare to operate drainage works, drainage shafts, and drainage canals, closely coordinate with irrigation companies to promptly operate drainage for urban areas, residential areas, and agricultural production.

7. Direct households raising fish in cages on rivers and downstream of hydroelectric plants to proactively harvest or take measures to move fish to avoid damage.

Business households in Cua Hoi, Cua Lo town, crisscross their kiosks before storm No. 3 makes landfall. Photo courtesy

8. Check locations at risk of landslides, underground dams, overflows, and traffic jams to warn people; mobilize vehicles and guards to guide and direct traffic, provide warning, and close roads to ensure safety.

9. Prepare logistics such as: food, medicine, medical care, etc. to be ready to do a good job of relief and overcoming consequences.

10. The armed forces (Provincial Military Command, Provincial Border Guard, Provincial Police) according to their functions prepare forces and means for rescue, ready to support localities in evacuating people, and conducting rescue when requested.

11. Provincial Radio and Television Station, Nghe An Newspaper, Ben Thuy Coastal Information Station and other mass media increase broadcasting frequency and duration; update and report promptly on storm developments and instructions from central and local agencies so that agencies and people know, proactively respond, and avoid subjectivity.

12. Departments and branches, according to their functions and tasks, proactively deploy measures to ensure safety and limit damage to people, vehicles, and facilities under their management; coordinate and support localities in responding to and overcoming the consequences of storms and floods.

13. Organize a serious 24/7 on-duty team from the province to the grassroots level to proactively handle situations that may arise, promptly report to the Standing Office of the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue.