As of 11 am on August 23, storm Narra, the fourth to hit the East Sea this year, and accompanying heavy rains, floods and landslides left one person dead and caused extensive damage in northern and central localities, according to the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
The victim was identified as D.P.H., born in 1999 in Thai Binh commune, Lang Son province, who died after a landslide struck his house.
Heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds damaged or unroofed 205 houses and inundated 2,506 others in Lang Son province. Some 7,877ha of crops were flooded or damaged, including 6,100ha in Lang Son, 1,699ha in Bac Ninh and 78ha in Quang Ninh. A total of 35 sites were hit by landslides or flooding, causing traffic disruptions, while 6,100 livestock and poultry died in Lang Son.
Local authorities evacuated 2,965 households, including 2,736 in Lang Son, 27 in Quang Ninh, 80 in Bac Ninh and 122 in Thanh Hoa.
Immediately after the disasters occurred, Party committees and local authorities mobilised forces to help residents deal with the consequences.
Regarding sea and estuary dykes, 31 key vulnerable locations have been identified in provinces from Quang Ninh to Thanh Hoa, including two in Quang Ninh, 11 in Hung Yen, four in Hai Phong, 13 in Ninh Binh and one in Thanh Hoa. Five unfinished dyke projects are located in Hung Yen.
Meanwhile, 49 vulnerable locations have been identified along the Cau River in Thai Nguyen and Bac Ninh, the Thuong and Luc Nam rivers in Bac Ninh, and the Buoi River in Thanh Hoa. Two unfinished projects are also being monitored.
According to the Department of Irrigation Works Management and Construction, reservoirs in the northern region remained safe as of 11 am on August 23, with no incidents reported. For damaged reservoirs and those under construction, relevant agencies have strictly maintained duty arrangements and prepared equipment and materials for emergency response.
The department has instructed agriculture and environment agencies in Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen and Thanh Hoa to urgently implement measures to ensure dyke safety against flooding on the Thuong, Luc Nam, Cau and Buoi rivers.
In coordination with Zalo Vietnam, authorities have sent two rounds of messages to 11.6 million subscribers in northern and north central provinces, providing guidance on vessel safety and safety skills amid heavy rain, flooding, flash floods and landslides.
The National Civil Defence Steering Committee has asked ministries, sectors and localities to strictly implement the Prime Minister’s Dispatch No. 57/CD-TTg dated August 21 and its Dispatch No. 45/CĐ-BNNMT-DD on proactive response to storm Narra.
Authorities have been urged to closely monitor the typhoon, strictly manage vessels at sea, keep track of their locations and inform vessel owners and captains of the storm’s movement so they can avoid dangerous areas. They must also ensure safe anchorage for vessels, prevent people from staying aboard in dangerous conditions, and stand ready for search and rescue operations.
Authorities and relevant agencies have been ordered to maintain 24-hour duty and closely monitor developments to ensure timely response to the storm and related disasters./.
