Vietnam’s National Civil Defense Steering Committee has asked provincial and municipal authorities to proactively prepare for potential natural hazards over the next 10 days.

According to a 10-day natural disaster outlook from the Department of Hydrometeorology, an intertropical convergence zone is expected to form over the East Sea from Sept. 9, with its axis passing through central Vietnam.

There is a high probability that a tropical depression will develop over the central East Sea between Sept. 12 and 13 before potentially strengthening into a storm.

In the northern Gulf of Tonkin, northeasterly winds are forecast at force 5, occasionally reaching force 6, with waves between two and three meters high.

From around Sept. 10 to 17, central Vietnam is highly likely to experience a widespread spell of moderate to heavy rain, accompanied by a high risk of tornadoes, lightning, flash floods, landslides and localized flooding.

In addition, during the day and night of Sept. 8, the northern and central East Sea, including the Truong Sa Special Zone, faces a high risk of tornadoes, wind gusts reaching force 7-8 and waves exceeding two meters.

To prepare for natural hazards that could develop over the next 10 days, particularly a tropical depression in the East Sea that could strengthen into a storm as well as strong winds at sea, the National Civil Defense Steering Committee has asked coastal provinces and cities from Quang Ninh to An Giang to closely monitor warnings, forecasts and developments related to the tropical depression and strong winds.

Local authorities have also been instructed to notify and guide captains and owners of vessels operating at sea so they can take preventive measures and adjust their operating plans to protect lives and property.

Authorities must closely monitor vessel movements, particularly tourist boats operating in bays, coastal areas and around islands, while maintaining communications to ensure a timely response to any dangerous situations that may arise.

For heavy rain, tornadoes, lightning, flash floods, landslides and localized flooding in central Vietnam, local authorities have been told to closely follow forecasts and warnings on weather developments, heavy rain, tornadoes, lightning, hail, flooding, flash floods and landslides.

Information should be promptly communicated to grassroots authorities and residents so they can take appropriate precautions.

Localities should proactively review high-risk areas and evacuate residents vulnerable to severe flooding, flash floods and landslides to safe locations, while keeping local response forces ready to assist communities in dealing with any damage.

Authorities have also been asked to strengthen public communications, particularly through grassroots information networks, to provide regular updates and guidance on how residents can respond to heavy rain, tornadoes, lightning, flash floods, landslides, localized flooding, tropical depressions and strong winds at sea, helping them take precautions and minimize potential losses.

Provincial and municipal People’s Committees must maintain strict emergency duty arrangements and regularly report developments to the National Civil Defense Steering Committee through the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention and Control under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Kieu Oanh