Hanoi (VNA) – Storm Narra, the fourth to hit the East Sea this year, and accompanying heavy rains and floods have caused damage in several northern localities, according to the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority.
As of 5pm on August 22, heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds had damaged or blown the roofs off 120 houses and inundated 180 others in Lang Son province.
A total of 1,065ha of crops were inundated or damaged, including 560ha in Lang Son, 455ha in Bac Ninh and 50ha in Quang Ninh. Some 290 landslide and inundation sites in Lang Son disrupted traffic.
In addition, 161 households at risk of flooding and landslides – 40 in Lang Son and 121 in Thanh Hoa – have been evacuated. Access roads to six villages in Bien Dong commune of Bac Ninh were blocked though floodwaters are now receding.
In Quang Ninh, heavy rains triggered flooding in certain areas of Bai Chay, Ha Long, Cao Xanh and Ha Lam wards while many roads were flooded, disrupting traffic and making travel difficult.
In Bac Ninh, heavy rains forced 17 households to relocate to safe areas, including 14 households with 58 people in Son Dong commune, two households in Bien Son commune and one in Tuan Dao commune. Localised flooding hit 1,687ha of agricultural land, including more than 1,325ha of rice, 152ha of vegetables and other crops, nearly 184ha of fruit trees and 26ha of forestry land.
In Cao Bang, heavy rains and thunderstorms damaged 35 houses. Flooding affected 1.99ha of crops. Downpour and landslides also disrupted traffic in several areas.
Meanwhile, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Hung Yen and Ninh Binh have imposed bans on vessels going out to sea.
To proactively respond to the complex developments of Storm Narra and associated heavy rains and floods, the National Civil Defence Steering Committee has asked provinces, cities, ministries and sectors to strictly implement the Prime Minister's Official Dispatch No. 57/CD-TTg, dated August 21, and the committee's Official Dispatch No. 45/CD-BNNMT-DD, also dated August 21, on proactively responding to the storm.
Relevant ministries, sectors and localities have been instructed to closely monitor Narra's developments and strictly control vessels heading offshore; conduct vessel counts and notify owners and captains of ships operating at sea of the storm's position, movement and developments so they can take preventive measures, leave dangerous areas or avoid entering them.
They have also been asked to strictly manage vessels at anchorages and shelters, absolutely prohibit people from remaining aboard vessels in dangerous situations and prevent them from returning to vessels before safety is ensured, in order to avoid the loss of life.
Measures must also be taken to ensure the safety of people, vehicles and property, particularly at tourist sites, aquaculture and fishing areas, along with offshore, island and coastal facilities.
Ministries, sectors and localities are required to keep rescue forces and equipment on standby to make swift response when needed, maintain strict 24-hour duty and regularly report to the National Civil Defence Steering Committee through the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment./.
