CENTRAL REGION — Central provinces from Nghệ An to Thừa Thiên- Huế have banned all sea-based activities to ensure safety as storm Sonca approaches the region, with its eye headed towards Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Bình and Quảng Trị.

In Hà Tĩnh, local authorities have recalled 6,200 ships with 17,000 fishermen on board to dock. Fish cages along the coast were anchored nearer to the coast to protect local aquaculture.

Quảng Bình recalled 3,555 fishing boats to shore, with another 97 boats from Đà Nẵng forced to seek shelter from the storm.

In Quảng Trị, 2,350 boats have docked in safe harbours to avoid the storm, including 45 boats from other provinces. Residents living near the coast have also been evacuated to safer places.

Thừa Thiên- Huế authorities recalled 1,900 fishing ships and boats, carrying 12,000 fishermen back to shore. Locals living near the coast have been urged to reinforce their homes and prepare necessities to wait out the storm.

The Central Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention on Tuesday morning had an online meeting with authorities of Thanh Hóa, Nghệ An, Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị and Thừa Thiên- Huế provinces, demanding safety for residents in areas in the storm’s path.

Meanwhile, Electricity of Vietnam delivered an urgent note requesting its agencies in the province to ensure electricity safety during and after the storm.

Airlines including Vietnam Airlines, Vasco, Jetstar Pacific and VietJetAir announced the cancellation of flights to and from Thọ Xuân, Vinh and Đồng Hới airports.

Reservoir fear

According to General Department of Irrigation, the region has 83 reservoirs that are critically vulnerable to breaking. Those in the worst situation are in Hà Tĩnh, filled with water from the earlier storm Talas.

Reservoirs in these provinces may suddenly release water due to heavy rains, putting lowland areas at risk of floods which would damage an estimated 335,000ha of rice.

Storm and flood prevention agencies in the province have been requested to stay alert 24 hours a day for updates of storm possibilities to reduce damages to lives and property.

According to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, the storm was at 17.1N and 108.3E at 10am Tuesday morning. It is forecast to reach the region’s coast at 5pm in the afternoon.

At its eye, the storm is forecast to create winds at level 8 on the Beaufort scale and will also cause heavy rains in central provinces from Thanh Hóa to Quảng Nam, with rainfall at 101mm at Hà Tĩnh and 68mm at Quảng Trị.

Seas in the region is predicted to be rough and have waves from 3m to 5m high, precipitating the ban on marine activities. — VNS