Hanoi Mayor orders emergency response against Typhoon Wipha
All residents of the G6A Thanh Cong apartment building, a high-risk structure classified as Level D, were evacuated overnight on July 21 as Typhoon Wipha approached.
THE HANOI TIMES — Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh on July 21 urged immediate action in response to Typhoon Wipha (Storm No. 3) as it approaches the city.
Trees damaged and uprooted by thunderstorms in Hanoi. Photo: Tung Nguyen/The Hanoi Times
In preparation for heavy rain, potential flash floods, landslides, and urban inundation, the mayor directed the heads of local agencies and ward-level administrations to strengthen coordination and ensure that timely response measures are in place to protect lives and property and minimize risk.
Local authorities are required to maintain 24-hour monitoring and activate emergency plans when needed.
Buildings and infrastructure, especially telecommunications networks and power lines, must be reinforced and protected to ensure operations continue smoothly before, during, and after the storm.
Authorities must also manage traffic by restricting movement, setting up detours, and rerouting commuters in areas at risk of deep flooding or landslides.
Response teams should quickly address incidents and maintain clear access on key transportation routes while inspecting dike system.
The Hanoi Power Corporation must work alongside the Department of Industry and Trade to ensure a stable power supply, promptly restore outages, and prioritize electricity for drainage pump stations to prevent severe flooding.
The Department of Construction must deploy resources in coordination with the Hanoi Green Trees Company and local authorities to promptly handle fallen trees and keep roads safe and passable.
At 8 PM on July 21, authorities urged residents of the G6A Thanh Cong apartment complex to evacuate to temporary shelters. Photo: Duy Minh/The Hanoi Times
Meanwhile, all residents of the G6A Thanh Cong apartment building were evacuated overnight on July 21 as Typhoon Wipha approached. The building is a high-risk structure classified as Level D.
Authorities had previously deemed blocks 1 and 2 of the complex dangerous and recommended demolition and reconstruction in 2016. Despite years of relocation campaigns and the area being fenced off, dozens of households remained for over nine years.
Typhoon Wipha is expected to make landfall between Haiphong and Thanh Hoa but will bring widespread and prolonged rainfall to Hanoi. Thunderstorms, strong winds, and possible whirlwinds are also likely.
Rainfall data shows that, between 7 PM on July 20 and the morning of July 21, many areas across the city had already recorded 10 to 20 millimeters of rain, with some locations exceeding 20 millimeters.
Forecasts indicate that from now through the evening of July 23, Hanoi will experience moderate to heavy rain, with some areas expecting very heavy downpours. Rainfall is projected to range from 80 to 250 millimeters, with the possibility of exceeding 300 millimeters in certain areas.
From July 23 through July 25, the Northern Hydrometeorological Center predicts continued rainfall, generally between 50 and 100 millimeters, with some places receiving over 150 millimeters.
Nguyen Van Hiep, the Northern Hydrometeorological Center's Deputy Director, warned that the heavy rainfall may be accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds. These conditions could damage trees, homes, transportation systems, and other infrastructure.
Prolonged rain could also lead to waterlogged soil, damaging crops and increasing the risk of falling trees. In urban areas, overwhelmed drainage systems may result in flooding and traffic disruptions.
