Prepare response plans for tropical depressions that are likely to strengthen into storms

On the afternoon of September 18, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development coordinated with relevant ministries and branches to hold an online conference with coastal localities from Ninh Binh to Binh Dinh on responding to the tropical depression that is likely to strengthen into storm No. 4.

Delegates attending at Thanh Hoa bridge point.

Attending the conference at Thanh Hoa bridge were leaders of relevant departments, branches and sectors.

According to the latest update from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as of 10:00 a.m. on September 18, the center of the tropical depression was at about 16.9 degrees North latitude; 113.2 degrees East longitude, about 190km east of Vietnam's Hoang Sa archipelago. The strongest wind is level 7 (50-61km/h), gusting to level 9.

It is forecasted that in the next 24 hours, when moving to the Hoang Sa archipelago, the tropical depression will likely strengthen into a storm. The current direction of the tropical depression is mainly westward. After strengthening into a storm, it will change direction, moving west-northwestward and towards the mainland of the central provinces.

The conference participants attended an online conference on response to the tropical depression that is likely to strengthen into a storm.

From the morning of September 19, the strong wind area will expand to the Central Coast, focusing on the area from Ha Tinh to Quang Nam and Quang Ngai, with strong winds of level 6 and level 7, and near the storm center, strong winds of level 8 and level 9. Waves in these areas will be 2-4m high, and 3-5m high near the storm center.

Delegates attending at Thanh Hoa bridge point.

Regarding the rain forecast, due to the impact of the tropical convergence zone passing through the Central region, combined with the frontal circulation of the current tropical depression, last night and early this morning, in the North Central and Central Central regions, there was heavy rain with total rainfall ranging from 30-70mm, some places had rain over 100mm. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting forecasts that from today until the morning of September 20, in the North Central and Central Central regions, there will be heavy rain with total rainfall ranging from 100-300mm, some places over 300mm.

At the conference, leaders of ministries, branches and localities reported on the situation and deployed response plans for the tropical depression that is likely to strengthen into storm No. 4.

Delegates attending at Thanh Hoa bridge point.

Implementing the Prime Minister's Official Dispatch No. 97/CD-TTg dated September 17, 2024 on proactively responding to the tropical depression that is likely to strengthen into a storm, Thanh Hoa province promptly issued two dispatches to direct and deploy response work to all levels, sectors and localities. In particular, directing localities and units to regularly and closely monitor warning bulletins, forecasts and developments of the tropical depression. Districts and cities review and complete response scenarios to ensure they are suitable to actual conditions; inspect works affected by storm No. 3, proactively arrange materials and means to be ready for rescue when required.

In addition, review, count, proactively inform and guide ships still operating at sea to know the location, direction of movement and developments of the storm so that they can proactively avoid, escape or not move into dangerous areas.

Delegates attending at Thanh Hoa bridge point.

According to a quick report from the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue and Civil Defense, as of 9:00 a.m. on September 18, the whole province had 6,117 vehicles and 19,968 seafarers. Of these, 5,2356 vehicles with 13,987 workers had anchored at safe harbors; currently, 861 vehicles with 5,981 workers are operating in the sea areas of Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Da Nang and Thanh Hoa provinces.

According to information from the Provincial Border Guard Command, 100% of the vessels operating at sea have been informed of the storm and are in regular contact with their families and authorities. Currently, the Border Guard is actively calling on the vessels to quickly move to safe shelters.

Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Van Cuong spoke to departments, branches, sectors and localities at the Thanh Hoa bridge point.

Concluding the conference, the leader of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development emphasized: The development of this tropical depression is still very complicated, with the possibility of strengthening into a storm, especially the risk of heavy rain, flooding, landslides, flash floods that may occur. Therefore, it is required that localities in the affected area absolutely must not be subjective, negligent, regularly update information to proactively direct the implementation of appropriate response plans.

Measures must be taken to ensure the safety of ships and vehicles operating at sea and along the coast. In particular, it is necessary to review the flood situation (including urban flooding) and have plans to evacuate people; urgently harvest ripe rice and aquatic products that have reached commercial size; ensure the safety of lakes, dams, hydroelectric works and strictly comply with operating procedures. Localities need to proactively arrange forces, materials and means, especially in localities expected to be directly affected by storms, floods and key areas to be ready to respond to tropical depressions, storms, floods and rescue when required.

Immediately after the online conference, speaking to departments, branches and localities at the Thanh Hoa bridge point about the response plans to the tropical depression that is likely to strengthen into storm No. 4, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Van Cuong suggested focusing on a number of contents, such as: Proposing to support people to urgently harvest the area of ​​vegetables, aquatic products, and seasonal rice that is ready for harvest, especially in river mouths, coastal areas, and low-lying areas according to the motto "green house is better than old field". Deploying measures to ensure the safety of people, property, factories, and infrastructure in industrial parks and economic zones; thoroughly draining water, proactively operating pumping stations when required; proactively coming up with plans to avoid traffic disruption and loss of communication.

Thanh Hoa province plans to strictly prohibit ships and boats from going to sea, stop exploitation, aquaculture, fishing and other activities in estuary and coastal areas at appropriate times according to the development of the tropical depression to ensure safety as well as people's livelihoods.

Khanh Phuong

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/san-sang-cac-phuong-an-ung-pho-voi-ap-thap-nhet-doi-co-kha-nang-manh-len-thanh-bao-225206.htm