Storm No. 12 weakens, Central localities proactively respond at the highest level

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, storm No. 12 has weakened into a tropical depression, but the Central region is still warned of widespread heavy rain, with some places receiving over 700mm. Forecasting and response to storm No. 12 has been proactively carried out at the highest level by the Government, sectors and localities.

Speaking at the meeting at noon on October 22, in person and online with members of the Steering Committee and leaders of the People's Committees of several provinces and cities to deploy responses to storm No. 12 (storm FENGSHEN), Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized that, with the forecast of two long periods of heavy rain, the area affected by storm No. 12 will have to face a multi-disaster situation. Localities will assess and prepare the most extreme scenarios of 2020 and 2022 to develop a comprehensive prevention and control plan, with a "combat map", clearly identifying the level of natural disasters, risk areas, responsible persons and command plans.

Location and direction of movement of the tropical depression. Photo: VNA

Proactive response

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, storm No. 12 has weakened into a tropical depression. It is forecast that by 1 p.m. on October 23, the tropical depression on the mainland of Da Nang city will reach Quang Ngai with winds below level 6, and gradually weaken into a low pressure area. The affected area is the sea from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai (including the special zones of Con Co, Ly Son, and Cu Lao Cham island).

According to the forecast of the Hydrometeorological Agency, from early morning of October 23 to the night of October 24, the area from Ha Tinh to Quang Ngai will have heavy rain and thunderstorms with common rainfall of 100-200mm, locally very heavy rain over 300mm; especially the area from South Quang Tri to Da Nang City will have heavy to very heavy rain with common rainfall of 200-400mm, locally over 700mm. Heavy rain in the Central region is likely to last until the end of October 2025.

According to VNA reporters in the early morning of October 23, Da Nang had light rain. However, due to the impact of storm No. 12, many places in the city have had heavy rain in the past few days, posing a potential risk of landslides, especially in the western communes of the city (formerly Quang Nam province).

Big waves and rising tides caused erosion in some coastal areas, affecting embankment projects under construction, production and business activities of local people (Hoi An coast, breakwater on Han River, near the estuary). 01 person herding cows across the spillway was swept away by the water and went missing, the body was found.

Da Nang City has resolutely directed the response to storm No. 12 and heavy rain; established 3 Forward Command Committees to directly command; forces stationed in the area and the local political system actively propagated, mobilized, called on, and supported people to bring boats to safe shelters, move belongings to higher places, prepare facilities for people to take shelter and live in case of rising water; stood on standby at vulnerable places to be ready for rescue and relief in case of unexpected situations. Dams/hydropower plants were operated according to correct procedures and safely. Essential foods were fully prepared and ready to supply to the people, and people were advised to proactively store enough food for 3 days... To ensure traffic safety during the time affected by storm No. 12 and prolonged heavy rain, the Department of Construction of Da Nang City recommended vehicle owners to limit traffic on National Highway 14D.

According to the VNA reporter in Hue, storm 12 has weakened into a tropical depression, so the mainland is not affected by storm winds; the intensity of rain has decreased. Authorities have reduced the storm and flood warning on rivers from alert level 3 to alert level 2. From the evening of October 22 to the morning of October 23, the rain has decreased, only intermittent moderate rain. With the decrease in rain, the flood warning on rivers has decreased, so the risk of widespread flooding is less likely to occur. Currently, some roads and low-lying residential areas along the coast and Tam Giang-Cau Hai lagoon are flooded due to high tides, affecting people's travel. ...

To proactively respond to the storm, many working delegations of Hue city led by city leaders inspected the response to storm No. 12 and floods in vulnerable coastal areas, low-lying areas along the Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon system, mountainous localities and roads at risk of landslides. Hue city's professional agencies have developed scenarios for inter-reservoir operations, corresponding to rainfall from 600 - 1,000mm. The Hue City Military Command and Police maintain thousands of officers and soldiers; mobilize hundreds of vehicles and equipment to be ready to respond to storms and floods....

Quang Tri had light rain last night and this morning. According to VNA reporters in the area, the damage caused by storm No. 12 was not significant. Quang Tri province ensured the "4 on-site" motto, with about 22,000 military and civilian personnel on standby to respond to storm No. 12, maintaining 24/24 duty in 5 key areas, ready to respond immediately when an emergency situation arises. In addition, the province directed localities to stock up on supplies and necessities to be fully prepared to support people in evacuation areas and isolated and flooded areas.

As of 6am this morning, the weather in Quang Ngai was dry and clear, with some places having sunshine. According to VNA reporters in the area, the heavy rains in recent days due to the impact of storm No. 12 have not had much impact on the province. There are still many landslides in the Quang Ngai coastal area from previous years that have not been repaired. After the storm, there is a risk of high tides continuing to cause coastal landslides, affecting infrastructure and people's lives...

Ensure safe transportation and ensure safe operation of the electrical system.

Regarding proactive prevention and response to storm No. 12, ensuring safety of flights, people and property at airports, from noon on October 23, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam informed that 5 airports are on alert in case of unusual developments of the storm. Specifically, the airports forecast to be in the area directly affected by storm No. 12 include: Phu Bai International Airport, Da Nang Airport, Chu Lai Airport. Pleiku and Phu Cat Airports proactively update information, taking precautions in case of unusual developments of the storm.

Due to the impact of storm No. 12, which is expected to cause heavy rain in the Hue - Da Nang area, the railway industry has announced the suspension of two pairs of trains HD1/2 and HD3/4 on the Hue - Da Nang route on October 23 and 24, 2025. To respond to storm No. 12, units strictly adjust the train operation and operation plan to reduce the number of trains passing through or stopping in areas affected by natural disasters; develop plans to preserve goods, transport spare supplies, transfer passengers, and fully prepare food, drinking water, medicine, and medical supplies in case trains have to be stopped due to floods.

At the same time, agencies, units and localities organize inspections of works and key locations at risk of insecurity caused by rain and floods and reinforce them to ensure train safety; strictly implement patrol and guard regimes for works and key locations, key areas; areas prone to flash floods, steep mountain passes, rock falls, landslides, railway areas downstream of dikes, irrigation dams, reservoirs...
Agencies, units and localities must proactively concentrate materials, equipment and human resources to be ready to overcome the consequences of rain and floods and ensure smooth traffic. They must ensure the safety of people, construction equipment and construction items when affected by rain and floods when incidents occur; special attention must be paid to constructions in mountainous areas that are prone to sudden floods.

Electricity In the face of the complicated developments of storm No. 12 (FENGSHEN), the Central Power Corporation (EVNCPC) has also requested its member units and representatives of capital in joint stock companies to immediately deploy measures to respond to heavy rains, floods, inundation, flash floods and landslides, ensuring the safe operation of the power system. Units arrange forces to be on duty 24/24, and supplies, equipment and spare means are fully prepared to promptly handle incidents. At the same time, units check telecommunications, dispatching and IT infrastructure to ensure continuous communication in stormy conditions.

For hydropower plants, EVNCPC requires strict compliance with inter-reservoir and single-reservoir operating procedures, proper implementation of local government regulations and ensuring dam safety. Project management units review construction sites, move equipment, cover materials and arrange storm-resistant forces...

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/bao-so-12-suy-yeu-cac-dia-phuong-mien-trung-chu-dong-ung-pho-o-muc-cao-nhat-20251023084112206.htm