Ships shelter to avoid Typhoon Nangka at Lạch Thơi Port in Sơn Hải Commune, Quỳnh Lưu District in the central province of Nghệ An. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Oanh

HÀ NỘI — Experts from the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control discussed measures to cope with Typhoon Nangka – the seventh typhoon so far this year – during a meeting on Wednesday.

Presiding over the meeting, deputy director of Vietnam Disaster Management Authority Vũ Xuân Thành asked provinces and cities to strictly implement Telegram No 25 issued by Deputy Prime Minister Trịnh Đình Dũng about emergency response to the typhoon to limit damage to people and property.

Localities will continue to check people by sea dykes, boats and watchtowers, moving those in the path of the typhoon to ensure safety.

Reports by the Border Guard Command said that as of 6am on Wednesday, it instructed 31,096 ships with more than 115,600 people on board to move from danger zones.

Director of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Mai Văn Khiêm said that Typhoon Nangka entered the Gulf of Tonkin on Wednesday morning.

It will reach mainland provinces from Thái Bình to Nghệ An on Wednesday afternoon. Some areas will experience strong winds of up to 103-117kph.

Total rainfall will be 200-300mm. Rivers could rise to the third warning level. Mountainous areas are at risk of landslides whereas big cities may see flooding, including Hà Nội.

Provinces of Ninh Bình, Thái Bình, Nam Định, Thanh Hóa and Nghệ An have moved more than 150,000 residents to safety.

By 11pm on Tuesday, as many as 212 communes in the country suffered from flooding due to heavy rains and the Typhoon No 6. 36 people have lost their lives. More than 580 houses were damaged, as well as 870ha of rice and more than 3,500ha of aquatic products. More than 26km of coastal area suffered erosion.

The US Mission in Việt Nam on Wednesday sent a letter expressing its deepest condolences to the people of Việt Nam for the loss of life, destruction of property, and displacement of people due to the flooding. 

It promised to stand with the Government and the people of Việt Nam as they mourn loved ones, address the damage caused by this flooding, and move forward, as the people of Việt Nam have always done. 

“We pledge to assist you in your work to rebuild. With USAID’s leadership, the US Mission in Vietnam continues to support Việt Nam’s disaster relief efforts and plans are underway to provide additional assistance,” the letter said. — VNS