Urgent response needed as tropical depression intensifies into a storm.

On the morning of August 1st, the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control held an online meeting with provinces and cities to discuss proactive measures to respond to the tropical depression in the East Sea that is strengthening into a storm.

The meeting was chaired by Central Committee members Trinh Dinh Dung - Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the National Committee for Disaster Response and Search and Rescue, and Nguyen Xuan Cuong - Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung requested that localities and ministries be highly proactive in dealing with the tropical depression that has the potential to strengthen into a storm. (Photo: Source Thanh Nien Newspaper)

Over 16,000 vessels and boats have yet to seek safe shelter.

Since its formation, the tropical depression has been moving steadily in a west-northwest direction at a speed of 15-20 km per hour and has the potential to strengthen into a typhoon.

As of 1:00 AM on August 2nd, the typhoon's center was located at approximately 19.2 degrees North latitude and 107.8 degrees East longitude, over the Gulf of Tonkin, about 120 km south of Bach Long Vi island district. The strongest winds near the center of the typhoon were at level 8 (60-75 km/hour).

As of 1:00 AM on August 3rd, the storm's center was located at approximately 20.3 degrees North latitude and 105.2 degrees East longitude, over land in the southern part of the Northern Delta and Thanh Hoa province.
In Nghe An province, due to the influence of a tropical depression, moderate to heavy rain fell last night and early this morning. The rainfall from 7 PM on July 31st to 7 AM on August 1st ranged from 20 to 40 mm.

The Nghe An delegation participated in the meeting under the chairmanship of comrades: Hoang Nghia Hieu - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Nguyen Van De - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Photo: Phu Huong

In Nghe An province, there are 3,488 vessels/17,440 laborers directly engaged in fishing at sea. As of 7:30 AM on August 1st, 471 vessels/2,373 laborers were operating in the coastal areas of Nghe An; 98 vessels/653 laborers were anchored in other provinces; 30 vessels/270 laborers were in the common fishing grounds; and 2,889 vessels/14,144 laborers were anchored at ports.

Speaking at the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu said that the province is currently implementing measures to ensure that by the end of this afternoon (August 1st), all vessels have reached safe shelters. In addition, all aquaculture farmers have been informed about the tropical storm and have proactively taken measures to prevent and minimize damage to 18,670 hectares of aquaculture farms.

Comrade Hoang Nghia Hieu stated that Nghe An province has prepared various response plans. Photo: Phu Huong

Minimize damage from dangerous weather patterns.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung emphasized: Given the complex developments of the tropical storm, first and foremost, relevant agencies and localities must have plans to ensure safety at sea, bringing over 1,600 vessels with more than 8,000 workers to safe shelters; protecting 25,000 aquaculture cages and rafts, and preventing people from staying on the cages and rafts during the storm.

In coastal plains, there is a need for evacuation plans for residents, especially in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Nam Dinh provinces; ensuring the safety of tourists; protecting agricultural production, residential buildings, offices, public facilities such as kindergartens, schools, and hospitals; production facilities, industrial zones, service areas, and dike systems.
In particular, the recent period of intense heat means that tropical depressions may cause thunderstorms and strong gusts of wind. Local authorities must be proactive in evacuating residents from dangerous areas prone to landslides in mountainous and hilly regions. Appropriate reservoir operation plans should be in place to ensure dam safety while retaining water for agricultural production.

Nghe An province completes construction of the Sam Sam sea dike (Quynh Luu district) before the rainy season. Photo: Phu Huong.

The Steering Committee members, relevant ministries and agencies, and especially local authorities, within their respective areas of responsibility, are tasked with developing appropriate plans, closely monitoring the tropical storm situation, addressing emerging issues, and ensuring the safety of people's lives and property, as well as state assets. They must proactively implement response plans based on the "four on-the-spot" principle, while simultaneously integrating these measures with the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Issues beyond their authority should be reported to the Deputy Prime Minister for handling. They should proactively monitor closely and respond promptly and effectively to potential situations to minimize damage to the people and the State.

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung emphasized