Vietnam’s fishermen rush to get ashore as Typhoon Fengshen approaches

THE HANOI TIMES — “Storms and rains are now erratic and no longer follow the same pattern as before, so we must urgently adopt safety measures to reduce damage,” Le Van Hung, a fisherman in the central coastal city of Dannang, told Tien Phong Newspaper.

Like Hung, many other Danang fishermen have been busy bringing their boats ashore to take shelter as the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has warned of multiple hazardous weather phenomena from October 21 to 26 due to Typhoon Fengshen.

The center reported that the storm has changed its moving direction and caused strong winds and high waves in the northern part of the East Sea, calling for measures to ensure safety for vessels in the affected areas.

"All vessels in these regions may encounter strong winds, whirlwinds and high waves, requiring strict safety measures," stressed the center.

Between October 22 and 26, central provinces, especially from Ha Tinh to Quang Ngai, are forecast to experience widespread, prolonged heavy rainfall, with some areas receiving over 900mm, posing a high risk of flash floods, landslides and severe flooding.

Particularly, total rainfall may reach 500-700 mm in the southern part of Quang Tri to Danang, even over 900 mm in some areas, and 200-400 mm in Ha Tinh, the north of Quang Tri and Quang Ngai, possibly more than 500 mm in several areas.

There is a high risk of intense rain of over 200 mm per three hours, with potential whirlwinds, lightning, hail and strong gusts. Heavy rains may last until late October, with disaster risk at levels 1-2 from southern Quang Tri to Danang.

Real-time warnings are available at https://luquetsatlo.nchmf.gov.vn.

Prime Minister requests urgent measures

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested ministries and localities to take urgent measures to brace for Typhoon Fengshen, the 12th storm hitting the East Sea so far this year.

Chinh stressed that this is a highly complex storm system with the potential for prolonged heavy rain, flash floods and serious landslides across many localities.

He asked the Ministries of National Defense, Public Security, Agriculture and Environment, Construction, Industry and Trade, along with the coastal provinces from Ha Tinh to Dak Lak, to apply the highest level of preparedness and response.

"Authorities must anticipate worst-case scenarios, ensure the safety of residents and minimize property damage," the Government leader requested.

Localities are tasked with tracking all vessels at sea and proactively evacuating residents from regions vulnerable to landslides, flash floods, or deep inundation.

Immediate measures must be taken to ensure the safety of dams and reservoirs, regulate water levels in hydroelectric and irrigation systems and safeguard downstream communities.

The prime minister also emphasized the protection of agricultural production and aquaculture, urging farmers to secure assets to limit losses.

Ministries and localities must stockpile essential supplies and equipment in areas at risk of isolation, ensuring timely rescue and relief operations.

The National Civil Defense Committee Office is requested to coordinate national response efforts. Information dissemination must be intensified to keep the public informed about storm movements and safety measures.

Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha will oversee implementation, while the Government Office monitors compliance and reports to the PM on emerging evolutions.

At 4 AM on October 21, Fengshen's core was located at 18.3 degrees North and 113.0 degrees East, about 200 km north-northeast of Vietnam’s Hoang Sa special zone. The storm maintains strong winds at 75 km-102 km per hour (kph), moving westward at 20 kph. By 4 AM on October 22, it will be over the northwestern waters near Vietnam’s Hoang Sa with similar wind strength, moving west-southwest at 10-15 kph. This will affect the northwest of the East Sea, including Hoang Sa, with a level-3 disaster risk. By 4 AM on October 23, the storm is forecast to reach inshore areas from the central city of Hue to Quang Ngai Province with weakened winds at level 6, and possibly abate into a tropical depression. This will cover waters from the south of Quang Tri to Quang Ngai (including Ly Son Island). By 4 AM on October 24, Fengshen will weaken further into a low-pressure area over southern Laos, moving southwest. The northern East Sea, including Vietnam's Hoang Sa, faces strong winds at levels 7-8 which will intensify near the typhoon's core to levels 9-10, with gusts at level 12. Waves will reach 3-7 meters, causing very rough seas. The sea area from southern Quang Tri to Quang Ngai will see winds at levels 6-8, with waves 3-5 meters high.