Soldiers collect debris in Hạ Long Bay, Quang Ninh province after Typhoon Yagi. — Photo baoquangninh.vn

QUẢNG NINH — The Ha Long Bay Management Board launched a campaign to promptly collect waste in the bay following the impact of super typhoon Yagi and subsequent floods.

Due to the impact of the typhoon and heavy rains, a large amount of waste was washed from coastal areas of Hạ Long Bay, including floating fish farming cages, into the sea. They floated on the water's surface, negatively affecting the landscape, the environment, and tourism activities in the bay.

The management board asked for coordination between the Hạ Long tourism boat association, organisations and individuals involved in tourism services in the bay in collecting waste and cleaning up the bay. Relevant units of Hạ Long city, and the districts of Cẩm Phả, Vân Đồn, and Quảng Yên were urged to speed up waste collection efforts.

From September 14 to 23, a total of 1,127 personnel and 301 vehicles were mobilised for the work, collecting 643 cu.m of waste and 94 floating fish farming rafts.

Super typhoon Yagi slammed into northern localities on September 7 afternoon. As of September 8 noon, the typhoon claimed four lives and injured 157 others in Quảng Ninh Province.

There were 19,582 damaged houses, 21 shipping vehicles, 23 cruise vessels, and 41 fishing boats either sunk or were adrift. Over 1,000 fish farming cages were lost or swept away, while 17,000 sq.m of aquaculture works, many high-rise buildings, government offices, and schools have been damaged.

The Management Board has also enhanced environmental monitoring in areas on and along the coast of Ha Long Bay daily to promptly identify locations with concentrated waste.

Typhoon Yagi has caused severe damage in many provinces and cities in the northern region, including major tourist centres such as Hà Nội, Quảng Ninh, Hải Phòng, and Sa Pa (the mountainous province of Lào Cai). In an effort to overcome the damage, many localities have organised activities to welcome tourists back.

Since September 13, the Management Board of Hạ Long Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, has welcomed visitors at places that meet safety standards.

The Hạ Long and Tuần Châu International Passenger Ports have resumed operations and have welcomed thousands of visitors. — VNS