At noon on 21 July, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha inspected preparations for Storm No. 3 (Wipha) at Ngoc Hai Fishing Port in Do Son Ward and heard reports on vulnerable areas in Hai Phong City.
He was accompanied by Le Tien Chau, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the City Party Committee and Head of the Hai Phong National Assembly Delegation; Le Ngoc Chau, Chairman of the City People’s Committee; members of the City Party Committee Standing Committee, vice chairmen of the City People’s Committee and leaders of relevant departments, sectors and localities.
According to Do Son Ward, 100% of vessels in the area have been moved to safe storm shelters. Hotels and guesthouses are accommodating 1,335 visitors, including 55 foreign visitors. Agencies and units have reviewed and prepared vehicles, supplies and personnel for Storm No. 3 response. Do Son Ward is continuously updating storm developments through its broadcast system and encouraging residents to proactively take preventive measures, protect life and property, and prepare for rising sea levels and heavy rain. Inspections of dykes, irrigation facilities, tourist areas, landslide-risk areas and construction works are being conducted seriously. Duty forces remain on regular standby and promptly report developments to the Standing Agency for handling when incidents arise.
Regarding Hai Phong’s Storm No. 3 response, more than 6,600 households with over 19,700 people currently live in landslide-risk areas and require monitoring and response when the storm makes landfall. Cat Hai Special Zone still has nearly 280 visitors staying there, including 84 foreign visitors.
The city has identified 75 key vulnerable dyke, embankment and sluice locations and prepared protection plans according to the “four on-the-spot” principle. Irrigation units have completed drainage and lowering of buffer water levels and prepared machinery, equipment and standby personnel for operation as required.
After inspecting Ngoc Hai Fishing Port and hearing reports from Hai Phong city and local leaders, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha praised the city’s political system for its proactive and decisive response. He directed Hai Phong to race against time, strengthen communication and encourage residents to strictly follow storm-prevention recommendations, and urgently evacuate people from dangerous areas, especially coastal areas, landslide-risk zones, weak houses and old apartment buildings.
The Deputy Prime Minister especially stressed protecting the dyke system, particularly the 75 identified key vulnerable dykes, embankments and sluices. The city must urgently implement approved protection plans, proactively prepare supplies, personnel and vehicles, and operate according to the “four on-the-spot” principle. Communes, wards and special zones must coordinate closely and support one another when incidents occur, without being passive or surprised.
The city must also mobilise maximum forces, especially the Army and Public Security, to coordinate with localities in evacuating residents and helping people leave dangerous areas. Rescue forces and equipment must be ready to handle incidents involving electricity, communications and transport promptly and effectively. The highest goal is to ensure absolute safety for the lives and property of the people and the State and minimise storm damage./.
Source: Hai Phong City Electronic Information Portal