Storm Saudel, the eighth to hit the East Sea (South China Sea) so far this year, is approaching Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago and is forecasted to gain strength.
According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, at 1 pm of October 22, the storm was about 360km east of the archipelago, with winds of up to 100-135 kph.
It is forecasted that in the next 24 hours, the storm will move in the northwest direction at a speed of 5-10 kph. By 1 pm on October 23, the storm’s centre is about 190 km from Hoang Sa Archipelago in the northeast, packing winds from 115-135 kph.
Over the next 24 to 48 hours, the typhoon is likely to move westward at a speed of about 10 kph and become stronger.
During the next 48 to 72 hours, Saudel is forecast to keep its westward direction with speeds of 15-20 kph.
At 1 pm on October 25, the storm’s centre will be right on the waters of provinces from Nghe An to Quang Tri.
Experts have warned vessels operating at sea to keep a close watch on the storm’s movements to make a timely escape from risky areas.
Deputy PM directs flood recovery in Quang Tri
On October 22, Politburo member cum Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh together with a Government delegation visited and worked with leaders of Quang Tri Province on both post-flood recovery and responsive measures against Storm Saudel.
Speaking highly of Quang Tri’s proactive responding and preventing floods and storms despite suffering heavy damage during the record flooding, Binh praised the timely actions of the local political system in disaster prevention and recovery as well as search and rescue work.
As Quang Tri is the hardest-hit locality with regard to current flooding in the central region, the deputy PM stated that the Party and State always pay special attention and have given many directions on the response, search, rescue and recovery from natural disasters in the central provinces, including Quang Tri.
The Government has assigned the Ministry of Finance and concerned ministries and agencies to provide each central province severely damaged by floods 1,000 tonnes of rice, together with medicines and disinfectants, as well as temporarily granting VND100 billion each to Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam to carry out search and rescue work while ensuring social security. The Ministry of Defence has also provided 22 tonnes of dry food to the flooded central provinces. In addition, the Prime Minister has agreed to provide an additional VND20 billion each to support the two mountainous districts of Huong Hoa and Da Krong in Quang Tri to quickly overcome the consequences of natural disasters and stabilise the production and lives of ethnic minorities in the area.
In the face of complicated and unpredictable heavy rains and flooding, as well as Storm Saudel’s approach that could directly affect the central region, Deputy PM Binh urged Quang Tri to continue to closely monitor the situation, while directing and implementing disaster response and recovery with more willingness and proactivity.
The province should focus on protecting the lives and assets of local residents and actively deploy search and rescue ensuring safety for the forces involved in the work, as well as operating irrigation and hydroelectric reservoirs safely and with proper procedures.
On the occasion, Deputy PM Binh presented VND100 million to the Study Promotion Fund of Quang Tri’s districts of Huong Hoa and Da Krong. In addition, Binh and his delegation also visited and gave gifts to flood-affected households in Hai Lang District.
* On the same day, Binh Dinh Province decided to provide VND3 billion from its budget to four central provinces severely affected by floods, including Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue.
Previously, on October 17, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Binh Dinh Province also issued a letter calling for donations to the Fund for the Poor and the support of flood victims in the central region. Local charitable groups from Binh Dinh have also gone to flood-hit areas to give gifts and support to the local people.
Source: Nhan Dan Online
