Vietnam expedites disaster prevention efforts

The National Steering Committee on Disaster Prevention and Control issued a dispatch on September 13 directing localities and ministries to deploy plans in response to a tropical low pressure which is predicted to develop into a storm and slash coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Binh Thuan.

Accordingly, localities need to control the number of boats, inform ship owners about the location, direction and developments of the low pressure while keeping in touch with them to tackle any contingencies.

It is vital to keep an eye on the developments of the low pressure and subsequent rains and floods in order to take timely responses, especially in areas with a high risk of flash floods and landslides, to ensure safety for both human and property, said the committee.

In addition, provinces must ready rescue forces and vehicles and regularly report the situations to the Offices of the National Steering Committee on Disaster Prevention and Control and the National Committee for Search and Rescue, it added.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, by 14:00 on September 13, the low pressure was located on the southeastern water of Vietnam ’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, packing winds of up to 60 kilometres per hour.

In the next 24 hours, it will head to the west with a speed of 10-15 kilometres per hour and is likely to become a storm. Heavy rains are forecast to fall in central and Central Highlands provinces between September 13 and 16 and then expand to the northern region.-VNA