(VOVWORLD) - Tropical storm Wipha is closing in on northern Vietnam, with its erratic path prompting urgent preparations in Quang Ninh province and the port city of Hai Phong to safeguard residents, infrastructure, and economic assets ahead of an anticipated landfall.
 (Source: National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting) |
In Quang Ninh, locals are reinforcing rooftops, securing aquaculture rafts, and steering fishing vessels to safe harbors. Tourist boats have been relocated to designated storm shelters to shield visitors and operators. Competent forces have issued an urgent directive suspending departure permits for passenger boats in the province.
In Hai Phong, a bustling coastal city, authorities activated a full-scale storm response by 1 p.m. on Sunday. All vessels remain in communication with authorities, with none stuck in the storm’s danger zone, the municipal People’s Committee reported.
At a national emergency meeting in Hanoi on Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha urged authorities to put lives first or face accountability for any deaths or property loss due to negligence.
He ordered round-the-clock operations across ministries, agencies, and local authorities, with decisions guided by hourly updates and three-hour forecasts from the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
He mandated a top-to-bottom review of high-risk zones, directing officials to recalibrate disaster plans using landslide and flash flood risk maps to identify vulnerable areas and at-risk infrastructure.
Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army Sen. Lieut. Gen Phung Si Tan confirmed that military units, from central to local levels, have been fully deployed with equipment ready to tackle the storm’s fallout.
Wipha is expected to bring heavy rainfall starting late Monday, with 200–350 mm forecast for the northeastern region, Red River Delta, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An. Some areas may see totals exceeding 600 mm through Wednesday.