Localities urged to speed up preparations as tropical storm Maysak nears northern coast

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep on July 3 urged authorities not to be negligent in responding to tropical storm Maysak, the first of its kind to enter the East Sea this year, stressing that early and coordinated action is essential to minimise losses despite forecasts that the storm is unlikely to be particularly strong.

Speaking at a meeting on measures to cope with the storm and subsequent floods held in Hanoi and connected online with eight northern provinces and cities, he instructed the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting to closely monitor the storm and provide timely warnings to ministries, local authorities and the public.

Hiep, who is also a member of the National Steering Committee for Civil Defence, requested the deployment of inspection teams to Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city, and urged military, border guard and police forces to assist with evacuations and ensure the safety of vessels and coastal communities.

The official warned against underestimating the storm simply because it is forecast to be of moderate intensity. He instructed localities to ensure no people remain on aquaculture rafts or watchtowers, safeguard fishing vessels and tourists on islands, and prepare for possible flash floods and landslides, particularly in Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang and Tuyen Quang provinces, where recent heavy rains have saturated the ground. Authorities were also told to strictly control traffic at flooded crossings and hazardous areas.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, storm No. 1 is expected to enter the Gulf of Tonkin late on July 3 and make landfall between Quang Ninh province and China's Guangxi region on July 4. The most likely scenario, with a probability of more than 70%, is that the storm will move north-northwest across the northern Gulf of Tonkin before heading into southern Guangxi. Coastal areas of Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and Hung Yen could experience winds of force 6-8 with gusts of up to level 10, while the Gulf of Tonkin may see winds of levels 8-9 and gusts of level 11.

Heavy rainfall is forecast from July 3 night through July 5, with 100-150 mm expected across northeastern Vietnam and 200-300 mm, or more than 500 mm in isolated areas, particularly in Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and Bac Ninh. Forecasters also warned of thunderstorms, strong winds, flash floods, landslides and urban flooding. Rough seas and waves of up to 4 metres are expected in the Gulf of Tonkin and surrounding waters.

Authorities nationwide have intensified preparedness efforts. Border guard forces have notified more than 56,000 vessels carrying nearly 250,000 people of the storm's path and advised them to seek safe shelter.

Quang Ninh has banned vessels from going to sea, relocated tourists where necessary, lowered reservoir water levels and mobilised emergency response forces. The province also arranged 18 vessels to bring tourists ashore.

Hai Phong has ordered more than 1,600 fishing vessels to return to port, while Lang Son has activated round-the-clock emergency operations and urged farmers to harvest crops early.

Meanwhile, Ninh Binh imposed a sea ban on July 3 and ordered all fishing vessels to reach safe shelter before the evening, while Nghe An instructed local authorities to prepare evacuation plans, protect coastal infrastructure, strengthen traffic control in flood-prone areas and keep rescue teams and equipment on standby as the storm is approaching./.