Viet Nam’s National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control is urging authorities in the parts from Da Nang to Khanh Hoa to take proactive and necessary mitigation measures in response to strong winds at sea and widespread heavy rain which could trigger flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas and flooding in low-lying and riverside areas in the coming days.

The authorities in affected areas must keep a close watch on severe weather development, and keep owners of vessels operating at sea timely informed about severe weather conditions in order to help them take the initiative to avoid dangerous areas or seek safe shelters during the bad weather. The focus must be on making the resources available in order to organize timely rescue of any person in distress at sea and provide timely support for those who need it during severe weather.

In addition, the heed must be paid on assisting local residents to prepare for severe weather in an attempt to keep them safe and protect their properties. In addition, all necessary measures are needed to move people living in low-lying areas, along rivers and streams and areas at high risk of flash floods and landslides to safe places with proper precautions against COVID-19 in place.

Heavy rain is predicted across the parts from Da Nang to Khanh Hoa from next Monday, November 8 with the possibility for thunderstorms developing in the late afternoon and night hours, according to Viet Nam’s National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. Thunderstorms can produce strong winds, lightning, hail and tornadoes, the national forecasters warned.

The Gulf of Tonkin could see northeast winds at level 7 to 8 and the gusts reaching level 9, as well as experience rough seas with waves as high as 2-4m.

The North of the East Sea (including the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands) will see northeast winds at level 6 to 7, and gustiness of level 8, rough seas with waves as high as 3-5m.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP – translating by H.L