Emergency preparedness and response ramped up as Wipha approaches
VOV.VN - In light of the complex developments of Typhoon No. 3, internationally known as Wipha, it is essential to mobilize both central and local forces and act swiftly and in coordination to ensure timely and effective preparedness and response efforts.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized this during a meeting on July 20 in Hanoi to discuss response measures for the typhoon.
At the meeting, Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha extended his deep condolences to the families of the victims in the boat capsizing incident in Ha Long Bay, northern Quang Ninh province. Despite extremely challenging conditions during the rescue operations, the relevant forces have now mostly completed the vessel recovery and search operations, though some individuals remain missing. Efforts are continuing, with additional personnel and equipment being deployed.
The Deputy PM requested that professional agencies provide accurate assessments of the storm’s scale, intensity, and projected impact. Current forecasts indicate that the storm may affect the northern and north-central regions, with a potentially large impact zone stretching from Quang Ninh to Ha Tinh and possibly wider due to post-storm circulation. In this context, he stressed the urgent need to mobilize all necessary resources from both central and local levels and to take unified, emergency action to prepare for and respond to the storm effectively.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the storm is expected to enter the Gulf of Tonkin on the morning of July 21 with sustained winds of 103–117 km/h (level 10–11), gusting to level 14. It is forecast to make landfall between the northern region and Nghe An province on July 22. From July 21 to 23, the northeastern region, the northern delta, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An provinces are expected to experience heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, ranging from 200 to 350mm, with localized areas potentially exceeding 600mm.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep noted that, as of 9:00 a.m. on July 20, the storm was located 670 km off the coast of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong. Wind speeds have continued to rise, reaching level 11 with gusts at level 13 as of that time. The storm is forecast to peak at level 12 over the northern part of the East Sea before entering the Gulf of Tonkin on the morning of July 21, moving faster than previously predicted.
“What we’re most concerned about are the coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Ha Tinh,” Hiep said. “Although wind speeds may not be as strong as those of Typhoon Yagi , with projections at level 8 to 9 and the eye at around level 10, winds of that magnitude will still bring down trees. On July 20 in Hanoi, level 7 winds already toppled 400 trees. I urge all coastal localities from Quang Ninh to Ha Tinh to be especially vigilant, prune branches and take measures to prevent trees from falling, as fallen trees can disrupt power lines and traffic.”
Deputy Director of the hydrometeorological agency Hoang Duc Cuong stated that the storm’s eye is expected to enter the Gulf of Tonkin around 8:00 a.m. on July 21, but its circulation will begin affecting the region earlier. “Strong winds in the southern sector of the storm may begin impacting areas as early as 3:00–4:00 a.m. Therefore, maritime activities in the Gulf of Tonkin must be suspended before 10:00 a.m., and in the central region, suspension should begin before 1:00–2:00 p.m.,” Cuong said.
During the meeting, leaders of provincial People’s Committees in Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa and others reported on their local preparedness. Chairman of the Quang Ninh provincial People’s Committee Pham Duc An said, “We have issued a sea closure order effective from 7:00 a.m. on July 21. Of the total, 202 vessels, accounting for 10.8%, are still at sea, and we have issued public announcements directing them to leave the danger zone. Regarding relocation, we have already notified all residents working outside the dike system who may be directly affected by the storm and set the evacuation time for 12:00 noon.”
Agencies at the meeting also reported on efforts to ensure stable operation of communication and satellite stations and electricity supply to maintain connectivity in support of emergency response efforts.
Wipha triggers warnings as it follows Yagi’s 2024 path
VOV.VN - Authorities are urging heightened vigilance as Typhoon Wipha shows similarities in trajectory and strength to Typhoon Yagi, which struck Vietnam in September 2024.
