Northern localities on alert as storm Jebi nears

The storm, the fifth of its kind to hit the East Sea, is currently churning through the northern part of the Hoang Sa (Paracels) archipelago and heading towards the mainland.

Storm Jebi is forecast to change its course when it heads towards Vietnam

It is expected to pound the north-central coastal provinces from Nghe An to Quang Ninh as of August 3, with gale-force winds gusting more than 100kph and heavy downpours of up to 300-400mm.

The storm, which is regaining strength, will threaten the sea dyke system of these provinces as huge waves of between 3-5m in height lash the shore.

The National Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Centre has warned that torrential rains accompanied by strong winds may flood low-lying areas and cause flash floods and landslides in mountainous localities.

Coastal provinces of Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Thua Thien-Hue, Thanh Hoa, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Haiphong and Quang Ninh have informed fishing vessels of the storm’s direction and instructed them to travel ashore or seek nearby storm shelters.

Thai Binh, which was hit hard by storm Bebinca in June 2013, has banned all fishing vessel from setting sail as of August 2. It has dispatched working missions to inspect prevention work in flood-prone and sea dyke-protected areas.

Off-shore fishing vessels have been called in and reinforced against the upcoming powerful storm

The provincial administration has asked local organisations and residents to reinforce public works and houses, quickly trim trees, clear mud from canals and put all pumping stations on standby in the event of severe flooding to save the newly transplanted rice.

Haiphong, which is expected to bear the brunt of the storm, has asked transport companies to temporarily halt waterway services to protect passengers, especially travellers.

Local residents in low-lying areas and fishermen at caged fish farms have been ordered to move to higher grounds before 07.00am on August 3.

The municipal administration has asked its organisations to cancel meetings scheduled for August 3 to cope with the approaching storm. 

Quang Ninh province has spruced up prevention work before the storm makes landfall. In an urgent meeting on August 2, the provincial administration also ordered its organisations to cancel all meetings and stop excursion and overnight stay services on Ha Long Bay - one of the most beautiful in the world.

It also requested residents living in aquaculture areas and on Ha Long Bay to move ashore before 08.00am on August 3.

Local rescue forces were asked to work around the clock, especially in sea dyke-protected districts of Van Don, Co To, Hai Ha, and Tien Yen. 

Source: VOV online