Typhoon Yagi inflicts severe damage to Northern power infrastructure

The Northern Power Corporation (EVNNPC) reported that super typhoon Yagi, also known as Typhoon No. 3, caused severe damage to the power system in Quang Ninh, Haiphong, and Thai Binh as of noon on September 7, 2024.

Trees uprooted in Quang Ninh. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper

According to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, the eye of typhoon Yagi is currently moving through Quang Ninh and Haiphong, with maximum winds reaching 149 km/h (equivalent to a category 13 storm). The typhoon has already caused significant damage, sinking five cement ships and one small wooden boat at anchor in Quang Ninh.

In addition, 146 trees have been uprooted (100 in Quang Ninh and 46 in Haiphong), and two low-voltage power poles along with one transformer station have been damaged in Haiphong.

Regarding storm response and monitoring, the EVNNPC reported that all 52 of Quang Ninh's 110kV power lines and 21 substations have been shut down, leaving the entire province without electricity. Quang Ninh Power Company has deployed more than 600 employees to be on standby, ready to restore power once the storm subsides. In Haiphong, heavy rains and winds of up to category 15 have led to outages in six 110kV power lines, leaving Cat Hai entirely without power, along with outages across over 50 medium-voltage lines, affecting more than 300,000 customers.

In Thai Binh, preliminary reports indicate four 110kV power lines and three substations are down, with 110 medium-voltage lines disrupted, leaving approximately 570,000 customers without electricity.

Thanh Hoa Power Company provided an update as of 2:00 PM on September 7, reporting heavy rain and winds at category 4. Two medium-voltage lines are down, affecting 11,916 customers.

Damages seen at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Middle School in Lach Tray, Haiphong.

Lang Son Power Company also shared a quick update, noting that, for now, the 110kV grid is still operating normally, but 10 medium-voltage lines have been disrupted, affecting a total of 63,913 customers (50,517 of whom have already had their power restored). Temporary damage includes one customer's substation being toppled and several low-voltage lines suffering landslides.

Nguyen Duc Thien, General Director of the EVNNPC, emphasized that the typhoon's damage is extensive. He urged power companies affected by the storm to prioritize safety for both people and equipment during the recovery process. He instructed them to create detailed plans for damage assessment, surveys, and safety measures, mobilizing contractors for repairs and equipment supplies.

He requested all power companies be on standby to provide support and prepare emergency response teams to help recover when necessary. All technical operation personnel are fully deployed and must strictly follow regulations and procedures to ensure proactive solutions for handling incidents, Thien said.

To maintain safety, power companies must adhere to the guidelines for grid operation management.

“The EVNNPC’s Disaster Prevention and Rescue Command Center and its units are actively monitoring Typhoon No. 3’s developments to promptly and safely address any power-related incidents,” Thien said.