The Mekong Delta region is facing two tropical low pressures with one at high risk of turning into a storm, according to the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control.

The Mekong Delta region is facing two tropical low pressures with one of at high risk of turning into a storm

The committee on November 1 held an urgent meeting in response to two tropical low pressures which are forecasted to hit the Mekong Delta region. One of them has become stronger on the East Sea and is likely to become a storm.  

On November 1-2, southern central localities have rains which are measured at between 100mm and 150mm. The rainfall in some provinces such as Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh will be around more than 200mm.

The steering boards on natural disaster prevention, search and rescue of provinces from Quang Ngai to Kien Giang informed 51,000 boats and vessels of the tropical low pressures’ direction so that they can know to escape possible dangers.

However, by this morning, November 1, 143 fishing boats of Bac Lieu and Ca Mau Province have not yet been contacted. Meanwhile, around 1,500 boats and vessels with nearly 11,000 people in total on board of Ca Mau Province are still operating in the dangerous areas.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on October 30 sent a letter calling on the local people, soldiers and the natural disaster prevention and control forces throughout the country, including localities in the Mekong Delta, to increase their vigilance and be prepared to actively respond to natural disasters, while attempting to minimise any possible damage.

The letter aims to share the losses and encourage the victims of Storm Linda that landed in the Mekong Delta 20 years ago and caused serious damage to local people and property that has lasted until now.

Vietnam has experienced 35 Beaufort wind force 10 storms, with wind speeds of up to 89-102kph over the last two decades, but no hurricane has caused as much damage as Storm Linda did in 1997. From the beginning of this year, natural calamities across the country have left hundreds dead and missing, damaged thousands of houses, and led to losses valued at VND36.5 trillion (USD1.6 billion).

Dtinews