Nghe An province issues urgent dispatch to respond to low pressure system and floods.

Accordingly, at 13:00 on October 6th, the center of the low-pressure area was located at approximately 11.5-12.5 degrees North latitude; 112.5-113.5 degrees East longitude, about 160 km west-northwest of Song Tu Tay Island. The forecast for the next 24 hours is that the low-pressure area will mainly move westward, traveling about 15 km per hour, and has the potential to strengthen into a tropical depression.

On the morning of October 6th, Vinh City experienced heavy rain, causing flooding on many roads. Photo: Quang An

From the night of October 6th to 11th, the central provinces are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall with a total rainfall of 300-500mm per event. After October 11th, the heavy rainfall in the central provinces will continue to be complex and may persist.

From October 7th to 11th, rivers from Nghe An to Binh Thuan experienced a flood, with flood levels rising by 4-9m in the upper reaches and 1.5-5m in the lower reaches.

To proactively respond to the low-pressure area that has the potential to strengthen into a tropical depression, and especially to the situation of heavy rain and flooding, the Standing Office of the Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of Nghe An province requests the Chairmen and Heads of the Steering Committees for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of districts, cities, and towns; the Provincial Military Command; the Provincial Border Guard Command; the Departments of Transport, Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Tourism, and Information and Communications; the Chairmen of the Boards of Members and Directors of irrigation and hydropower companies in the province; Nghe An Radio and Television Station, Nghe An Newspaper, Ben Thuy Coastal Information Station, and other relevant units to implement the following contents:

Strictly implement the contents of Official Dispatch No. 20/CĐ-TW dated October 6, 2020, from the Standing Office of the Central Steering Committee on Disaster Prevention and Control – Office of the National Committee for Incident Response, Disaster Relief and Search and Rescue.

Closely monitor the development of the low-pressure area, inform owners of vessels and captains of ships and boats operating at sea about the location, direction of movement, and development of the low-pressure area so that they can proactively take precautions, evacuate, or avoid moving into the dangerous area. The dangerous area due to the low-pressure area in the East Sea over the next 24 hours (strong winds of level 6, gusts of level 8 or higher) is from latitude 12-15 degrees North, and longitude 109.5-115.0 degrees East.

Traffic police in Vinh City direct traffic and alleviate congestion after the rain late on October 6th. Photo: Quang An

Rescue and relief agencies (Provincial Border Guard Command, Provincial Military Command, etc.) are ready with personnel and equipment to promptly organize rescue and relief operations when required.

Nghe An Newspaper, the Provincial Radio and Television Station, Ben Thuy Coastal Information Station, and other mass media outlets increased broadcast time and reported on the developments of the low-pressure system and heavy rain so that all levels of government and the people are aware and can proactively take preventive measures.

Maintain a strict duty roster and regularly report to the Standing Office of the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue.