Hanoi (VNA) – Northern localities are taking drastic actions to cope with the aftermaths of typhoon Yagi and its subsequent heavy rains and flooding.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on September 9 ordered urgent measures be taken to deal with the collapse of Phong Chau bridge in the northern province of Phu Tho which occurred earlier the same day, as well as efforts to respond to and overcome consequences of flooding, landslides in the northern mountainous and midland regions.
Meanwhile, the northeastern province of Quang Ninh has mobilised its entire political system with all forces and means at hand to overcome the consequences of the typhoon and to cope with its subsequent heavy rains.
The Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee identified the province’s top priority now is to bring people’s life back to normal soon and ensure safety for the people, along with search and rescue activities.
It is forecast that in the coming days, the province will continue to experience heavy rains and face risks of whirlwinds and flash floods, and local agencies and authorities were asked to focus on reviewing areas at risk of landslides and flooding to have proper responses, particularly evacuation plans.
Localities were asked to boost communication activities to inform people of natural disaster preparedness measures and to prepare food to deliver to people affected.
As of September 9 afternoon, the typhoon had blown away roofs of over 20,000 houses across the province; sunk or washed away 23 tourist ships and 41 fishing boats; and damaged over 2,400 aquaculture facilities, nearly 1,300 ha of rice and other food crops, and over 17,000 ha of planted forests.
It also pulled down more than 1,400 electric poles, causing widespread power outages and water shortages. The telecommunications network was almost out of work and has not yet been repaired.
To overcome the storm aftermaths, the province mobilised nearly 6,000 soldiers, 53 trucks, 38 ships, and 35 boats to join the search and rescue work, clean up environment, and repair damaged structures.
By noon of September 8, 110 people drifting on the sea had been rescued. Meanwhile, the People's Committee of the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang has issued order proactive measures to deal with the typhoon's aftermaths.
Its urgent dispatch ordered armed forces to be deployed for search and rescue work and local authorities to inspect and review residential areas along rivers and streams at high risk of flooding, flash floods, landslides, and rockslides.
They were also tasked to proactively evacuate people to safe places, and to prepare everything needed to respond to all developments.
In the northern province of Bac Ninh, as the Cau river is swelling, localities along the river have been asked to evacuate people who are living in dangerous areas.
In the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau, landslide occurred in Si Lo Lau commune, Phong Tho district, killing a person.
Torrential rains in the province have posed high risks of flooding and landslides in residential areas, roads, and rivers.
Local authorities and relevant agencies have informed people of the weather conditions and natural disaster warning while keeping instructing them on how to stay safe during the rainy season.
In the northern province of Ha Nam, as Day river’s water level is rising, the provincial People’s Committee has asked local authorities and agencies to have evacuation options to ensure safety for people and aquaculture establishments in vulnerable areas. Localities have also been asked to have plans to protect dykes and infrastructure work to effectively respond to emerging situations./.
