Focus on responding to storm No. 8 and floods after the storm

Storm No. 8 is heading towards our country's mainland. This is a strong storm at sea, moving very fast, with a wide range of influence. From the night of October 13 to October 14,storm number 8will directly affect coastal and inland areas of our country.

Due to the impact of the storm, coastal areas and strong winds, storm circulation and cold air are likely to cause heavy, prolonged rain in the North Central provinces. In Nghe An, there has been heavy rain recently, many reservoirs are full of water, there is a high risk of flash floods, landslides in mountainous areas, and flooding in low-lying areas.

Forecast of location and direction of storm No. 8 - Source: National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

To proactively respond to storms, flash floods, landslides, ensure safety of people's lives and limit property damage, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee - Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control and Search and Rescue (PCTT-TKCN) requests:

1. Strictly implement the content of Official Dispatch No. 1337 CD-TC dated October 12, 2021 of the Prime Ministeron focusing on responding to storm No. 8 and floods after the storm; Official Dispatch No. 36/CD-UBND dated October 11, 2021 of the Provincial People's Committee on proactively responding to storms and floods; at the same time, proactively closely monitor, promptly, drastically and effectively deploy response measures appropriate to the specific developments and situations in the locality.

- Control, guide, direct, and ensure safety for vehicles and boats; strengthen inspection of boat anchoring at anchorage areas; implement work to ensure safety of people and property on islands and aquaculture cages.

Boats return to take shelter from the storm. Photo: Xuan Hoang

- Implement a plan to evacuate coastal residents according to the scenario of a level 9 storm, 2-3m high tide; downstream areas of dams and reservoirs are at risk of insecurity, landslides and mountain landslides are at risk of flash floods.

Deploy work to protect dikes, dams, and production; arrange forces, materials, machinery, and equipment to be ready to respond and overcome incidents.

- Control, guide, and divert traffic, especially through culverts, spillways, and deeply flooded areas; proactively arrange forces, materials, and means to overcome incidents and ensure smooth traffic on main traffic routes.

- Direct and guide people to brace houses, reinforce and protect structures, prune tree branches, etc. to limit damage caused by storms.

- People are strictly prohibited from collecting firewood, fishing, etc. on rivers, streams, and downstream of dams during floods to avoid human casualties; absolutely do not let people be subjective before, during, and after floods; pay special attention and supervision to children living in affected areas.

2. North Central Region Hydrometeorological Station:Closely monitor, forecast, warn, and promptly inform about storms and floods so that relevant agencies and people can proactively deploy response measures.

3. Department of Industry and Trade:Direct hydropower reservoir owners to strictly implement regulations on dam safety management and inter-reservoir operation procedures; closely coordinate with local authorities to promptly provide information and ensure safety for people, especially in emergency flood discharge situations.

4. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development:Direct the work of ensuring the safety of all dams and irrigation works, especially weak dams, full dams, works under construction, repair, and protection of agricultural production.

5. Department of Transport:Directing traffic control and guidance at culverts, spillways, and deeply flooded areas, arranging forces, materials, and vehicles to promptly handle incidents, ensuring smooth traffic on main traffic routes.

Dien Kim residents are forced to reinforce their boats to ensure the safety of their property. Photo: Xuan Hoang

6. Provincial Military Command, Provincial Border Guard Command, Provincial Police:According to the functions and tasks, direct units to review response plans, be ready to deploy forces and means to support rice and crop harvesting, evacuate and relocate residents, search and rescue, respond to and overcome the consequences of storms and floods when requested; The Provincial Military Command shall preside over and coordinate with local authorities and relevant departments and branches to direct and deploy support plans, ensuring safety for people moving from the southern provinces to the northern provinces due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic passing through Nghe An province (arranging shelters to avoid storms, food, fast food, medical care, etc.)

7. Nghe An Newspaper, Provincial Radio and Television Stationand press agencies increase the time, promptly report on the developments of storms, floods and response work so that people know and proactively prevent.

8. Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and ControlClosely monitor the developments of storms, floods, landslides, and flash floods to proactively direct the implementation of response measures appropriate to actual developments, ensuring timeliness, effectiveness, and damage limitation; organize inspection teams to direct and urge response work in localities.