Nghe An issues urgent dispatch to respond to storm Mangkhut

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, at 7:00 a.m. on September 16, the center of storm No. 6 (international name Mangkhut) was located at about 20.6 degrees North latitude; 115.5 degrees East longitude, in the Northeast of the East Sea, about 320km East Southeast of Macau (China). The strongest wind near the center of the storm is level 14 (150km/h), gusting to level 17. The range of strong winds of level 6, gusting to level 8 or higher is about 350km from the center of the storm; The range of strong winds of level 10 or higher is about 170km from the center of the storm.

Path and location of storm No. 6. Photo: National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting

Forecast in the next 24 hours, the storm will move in the West Northwest direction, traveling 25-30km per hour. Due to the influence of the storm, in the North East Sea today there will be stormy rain, strong winds of level 11-12, the area near the storm's center will be strong at level 13-14,level 17; rough seas.

Implementing Official Dispatch No. 1256/CD-TTg dated September 15, 2018 of the Prime Minister. To proactively respond to and limit damage caused by storms and floods caused by storms, especially post-storm rain circulation. The Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue requests: Chairmen of People's Committees of districts, cities and towns; Provincial Military Command, Provincial Border Guard Command; Directors of Departments; Heads of provincial-level Committees and branches; Directors of irrigation and hydropower companies in the province and related units to strictly implement Official Dispatch No. 52/CD-TW dated September 15, 2018 of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control - National Committee for Natural Disaster Response and Search and Rescue; Telegram No. 13/CD-VPTT BCH PCTT&TKCN dated June 15, 2018 of the Standing Office of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of Nghe An province and continue to focus on implementing the following tasks:

1. For coastal and marine areas:

-Regularly update the storm's developments by all means to notify captains and owners of vehicles and vessels operating at sea (including transport and tourist vessels) of information and developments of the storm; direction of movement to escape and not enter the danger zone or return to a safe shelter. Dangerous areas in the East Sea in the next 24 hours (areas with strong winds of level 6 or higher): North of latitude 17.0 degrees North; East of longitude 107.0 degrees East. Dangerous areas will be adjusted according to the storm's developments.

- Provide guidance on anchoring boats at shelters, and implement plans to ensure safety of people and vehicles at shelters.

2. For land areas:

- Check and review the plan to evacuate people, prepare forces and means to deploy plans to ensure the safety of people's lives, especially in low-lying areas along rivers, coastal areas, areas at risk of landslides, areas prone to deep flooding, isolation, and high risk of flash floods and landslides;

- Implement production protection plans, focus on harvesting ripe rice areas and seafood that meet commercial requirements with the motto "green house is better than ripe field"; proactively drain buffer water, prevent flooding in low-lying areas and protect agricultural production;

- Ensure safety of electrical and communication systems, prepare manpower and materials to respond and promptly fix incidents.

3. For irrigation and hydroelectric reservoirs:

- Implement measures to ensure the safety of dams, irrigation and hydroelectric reservoirs, especially for dams and reservoirs that are weak or full of water; especially key dykes, dams, works with incidents due to previous floods that have not been resolved, and works under construction.

- For vulnerable lakes with sluice gates, regulate and lower the water level to ensure safety; arrange permanent forces at the lakes to proactively handle situations promptly when they occur.

4. North Central Region Hydrometeorological StationClosely monitor storm developments, organize forecasts, and provide information to relevant units to promptly direct storm response.

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

2.Ready forces and means for rescue when required.