PM orders localities to intensify emergency response for super typhoon Yagi

Authorities help fishermen move boats ashore ahead of the storm. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Secretaries and chairpersons of provincial people's committees must be held accountable to the Politburo and the Prime Minister if they are found negligent or slow in their response to super typhoon Yagi, resulting in significant damage to lives and property.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính issued on Thursday an emergency dispatch directing localities and relevant ministries to prioritise emergency measures for super typhoon Yagi, this year’s third typhoon in the East Sea.

According to Dispatch No. 87/CĐ-TTg, as of Thursday morning, typhoon Yagi intensified into a super typhoon, with maximum sustained winds near the eye reaching level 16 (184-201km/h).

Forecasts indicate that after weakening on Friday morning, the typhoon will directly impact the Gulf of Tonkin, with maximum sustained winds near the eye reaching levels 13-14 (134-166km/h).

Starting Friday night, the massive storm system is expected to affect the northeastern and north central regions of Việt Nam with maximum winds potentially reaching levels 10-12 (102-133km/h). The super typhoon poses high risks of strong winds, storm surges and high waves at sea and along the coast as well as extensive rainfall on land.

Yagi is predicted to pose a significant risk of complications and other natural disasters. Chính has ordered ministers, secretaries and chairpersons of the relevant localities to lead, supervise and promptly implement effective preventive and responsive measures.

They must proactively ensure the highest level of preparedness to protect lives, especially for vulnerable groups like children, and minimise damage to both public and private property, he said.

Local heads were told to suspend non-urgent meetings and deploy members of their committees directly to key areas to oversee and enforce measures against the storm and floods.

Measures must be taken to ensure safety for residents in at-risk areas, particularly those on fish farms and boats in shelters as well as areas at risk of severe flooding from high waves, storm surges or heavy rainfall.

Authorities should enforce evacuation from dangerous zones if necessary to ensure public safety.

Provincial and municipal heads are required to secure dikes, dams and transportation infrastructure and minimise damage to housing, warehouses, public buildings, industrial zones and factories.

They must also protect agricultural production and prevent urban and industrial flooding, mobilise forces and equipment to critical areas for rapid response to emergencies and hold accountable any negligent organisations or individuals.

The Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Public Security were required to review and update emergency plans based on the typhoon's risk level and coordinate with relevant forces for effective storm and flood prevention.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development was tasked with overseeing and continuous monitoring of response plans, as well as reporting any issues beyond the local authority to the Prime Minister.

Chính also assigned Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà to directly oversee the response efforts and recovery from the super typhoon and associated flooding.

The Government Office is required to monitor and report on the implementation of the dispatch, providing updates to the Prime Minister and deputy prime ministers on urgent matters.

According to the National Hydro-Meteorological Forecast Centre, by 1pm on Saturday, the typhoon is expected to make landfall in the provinces of Quảng Ninh and Nam Định, moving west-northwest at about 20km/h. Maximum winds near the super typhoon’s eye are anticipated to reach up to level 12 (118-133 km/h) over the coast.

Coastal areas from Thanh Hóa Province to Quảng Ninh Province should prepare for storm surges between 0.5m and 1.8m on Saturday afternoon and night, with retreating waters between 0.5m and 1m on Saturday morning.

Maritime and aquaculture areas as well as dikes and coastal embankments within the provinces are likely to experience strong winds, large waves and storm surge effects.

Between Friday night and Monday morning, the northern and north central regions are forecast to face torrential rains, with some areas experiencing very heavy rain and thunderstorms, with total precipitation ranging from 100-350mm and locally exceeding 500mm.

Heavy rain may cause flooding in low-lying areas, flash floods in small rivers and streams and landslides on steep slopes. — VNS