With the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting red warnings for heavy rain and strong gales as a result of typhoon Molave which is set to reach the area of sea from Da Nang to Phu Yen by 7:00 am on Wednesday, Da Nang is preparing its storm response.

Fishermen urgently taking their fishing gears to safety at the Tho Quang fishing wharf before Molave’s arrival

After sweeping across central coastal areas from Da Nang to Phu Yen later the same day, typhoon Molave is then likely to weaken into a tropical depression.

Militia forces in Son Tra District helping local residents to reinforce their houses’ resistance and take their valuable assets to safety prior to Molave’s arrival

Molave is the strongest storm to hit Viet Nam so far this year, unleashing extremely strong winds and resulting in huge waves at sea, national forecasters say.

Da Nang residents are taking measures to prepare for typhoon Molave as it heads toward Central Viet Nam. Molave is intensifying more rapidly than expected and it will introduce a hurricane-force winds threat across Central Viet Nam from Tuesday evening.

Da Nang authorities are carrying out a mandatory evacuation of residents from at-risk riverside areas. Besides, warnings on landslides and floodings have also been issued for some vulnerable mountainous and low-lying areas.

Da Nang government urges the public to stay at home from 8pm on Tuesday until further notice issued by the Da Nang Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control as typhoon Molave is approaching Central Viet Nam.   

Since Monday afternoon, armed and militia forces citywide have actively engaged in assisting large numbers of local residents, especially those living in the coastal areas of Son Tra and Ngu Hanh Son districts in reinforcing their houses’ resistance and taking their valuable assets to safety prior to Molave’s arrival.

Pruning the branches of trees alongside streets in An Thuong tourist quarter, My An Ward, Son Tra District in preparation for typhoon Molave

The middle span of the Nguyen Van Troi pedestrian bridge spanning the River Han in Da Nang being vertically lifted to allow fishing vessels to pass under to seek safe shelters from the storm

In a hurry, Da Nang residents have been placing large numbers of sand bags onto their roofs so as to prevent winds from blowing them off, which is one of the most practical reinforcement solutions many people in storm-weary localities have taken over historical periods. 

In a similar vein, many fishermen in Son Tra District are urgently taking their fishing gears ashore ahead of Molave’s arrival.

Taking appropriate mitigating actions to ensure the safety of the power supply grid in Hoa Cam Industrial Park

Men from the municipal Border Guard High Command and Son Tra District’s militia forces helping residents placing sand bags onto their roofs so as to prevent winds from blowing them off

Likewise, workers of the Da Nang Green Park Company are now rushing to prune the branches of trees along streets in preparation for typhoon Molave. 

In particular, the middle span of the Nguyen Van Troi pedestrian bridge spanning the River Han in Da Nang has vertically lifted to allow fishing vessels to pass under to seek safe shelters from the storm.

Builders are required to stop the operation of overhead tower cranes, lower anchor hooks at their construction sites for high-rises and tenements which might pose danger to by-passers

All schools across Da Nang are closed on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday for the safety of teachers and students. Likewise, Da Nang-based government agencies and companies located in industrial parks will be closed on Wednesday because of typhoon Molave .

In a similar vein, all intra-Da Nang bus services offering subsidised ticket fares are being suspended from today until the end of Wednesday. 

By TRIEU TUNG, HOANG HIEP – Translated by A.T