(VOV) – Storm Son Tinh struck the coastal provinces of Nam Dinh and Thai Binh, and Hai Phong city, swept away countless houses, knocked down tress, and forced thousands of people to evacuate to safe places. Heavy rains and fallen trees have hampered emergency teams.
Le Xuan Thuy, Director of the Nam Dinh provincial department of Agriculture and Rural Development, directed storm control activities in Giao Thuy commune yesterday. He said this is the most powerful storm to strike the coast since 2005. "The wind is still very strong and a number of trees have been knocked down. There has been no serious damage to the dyke system. When the wind abates, we’ll go out to assess the damage," Thuy said.
Yesterday, border guards in Hai Phong city mobilized all resources to rescue fishermen on a damaged boat that was drifting free. They have approached and evacuated hundreds of people living on small boats anchored at seaports. Nguyen Van Nam is Commander of the Hai Phong Border Guard. "The Hai Phong People’s Committee has asked the National Committee for Search and Rescue to send out a ship to find disabled boats. We’re closely watching Hai Phong port, where some foreign ships are docked."
Quang Ninh province has banned all ships traveled on the bay, and ordered all fishermen and tourists to evacuate floating houses. The naval force has brought 30 people from a fishing village to the mainland, and helped others to take refuge in caves.