Localities prone to typhoon Sarika on full alert

Hanoi (VNA) – Localities are making every effort to prepare for the arrival of typhoon Sarika, the seventh of its kind to hit the East Sea so far this year, which is forecast to directly impact the northeastern and central regions on October August 19.

The Hanoi People’s Committee convened an urgent meeting on storm prevention with the participation of representatives from all departments and districts.

Nguyen Van Suu, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, urged localities and departments to implement preventive measures, especially personnel, vehicles and equipment, and keep a close eye on storm information.

In northern Thai Binh province, the local hydro-meteorological forecasting centre predicted typhoon Sarika will affect the province on the evening of October 18, causing light rain and downpour. Wind speed in both inland and coastal areas will gradually increase.

In an effort to reduce losses, Thai Binh is mobilising maximum resources to harvest the remaining 22,600 hectares of rice paddies. Local drainage systems are being repaired and discharged in preparation for torrential rain. High school students across the northern province of Thai Binh are allowed to skip school from October 17 to help their families harvest rice before the storm comes.

Coastal localities of northern Nam Dinh province were asked to call their fishing boats to find shelters and ban vessels from going out to sea from 19 pm of October 17.

According to the Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of Nam Dinh, more than 1,800 boats are anchored, 201 others are fishing inshore.

Quang Ngai’s search and rescue department reported that 445 local fishing boats have yet to reach shore on October 17, adding that they will receive precautions guidance from relevant agencies around the clock.

The sea route between Sa Ky and Ly Son island has been temporarily shutting down since October 16 after all tourists had left the island.

Meanwhile, in Thua Thien Hue, reservoirs reportedly having high water level on October 17 are being discharged, while local authorities are preparing to evacuate 112,309 people in danger to safe locations. Tourism agencies have been required to ensure safety for tourists.

The Directorate for Roads of Vietnam has urged its agencies in areas vulnerable to Typhoon Sarika to brace themselves.

These localities include Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh in the north and Quang Ngai, Thua Thien Hue in the central region. The agencies are tasked with implementing measures to ensure traffic flow and minimise harms from the storm on transport infrastructure.

The Defense Ministry also ordered the air, marine and border forces to get ready to support locals in dealing with the storm.-VNA