Localities in central region told to brace for coming tropical depression

The predicted path of the tropical depression (Source: National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting)

Hanoi – The Prime Minister has ordered localities in the central region, ministries, and sectors to take swift actions to address flooding consequences and gear up for an approaching tropical depression likely to strengthen into storm.

An official dispatch issued by the PM on October 25 noted that incessant rains have occurred in central provinces over the past days, especially from October 22 to 24 in Thua Thien - Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and Binh Dinh provinces, causing floods and landslides and isolating certain areas.

While some rivers in the region are still in full spate and several areas remain submerged, a tropical depression in the East Sea is moving towards the mainland, likely to intensify into a storm, and may continue triggering downpours in the areas from Da Nang city to Binh Thuan province, as well as the Central Highlands.

To cope with the tropical depression, protect people’s lives, and quickly address flood aftermath, the PM requested the administrations of the localities from Quang Tri to Binh Thuan and those in the Central Highlands to promptly make preparations for the depression, with a focus on ensuring safety for boats and vessels at sea and taking actions to guarantee people’s safety in case of serious flooding.

Meanwhile, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and Thua Thien - Hue provinces were told to swiftly deal with flood aftermath.

The Government leader assigned the National Committee for Incident and Disaster Response, and Search and Rescue, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Transport to ready forces and equipment for assisting localities in the work.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was demanded to keep a close watch on the tropical depression, rain, and flooding situation to provide timely information for relevant agencies and residents.

Other ministries and sectors were told to take measures within their competence to ensure reservoirs’ safety, protect agricultural activities and the power system, and support localities in the central region to address flooding consequences in a timely manner.

The National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control was asked to direct the timely implementation of appropriate response measures so as to minimise losses, according to the dispatch.