Nguyen Van Tien, Deputy Director of the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention, addresses the meeting. (Photo: Vu Mien/ VOV)

Typhoon Talim will affect much of Vietnam’s northern and north central provinces. To protect lives and limit property damage, the Prime Minister has asked the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, ministries, provinces, and cities to direct activities to brace for heavy rain and flooding.

The Steering Committee met on Tuesday morning to discuss emergency measures. Nguyen Van Tien, Deputy Director of the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, asked localities to ensure the safety of boats at anchorages and not let people return to aquaculture cages before the storm dissipates. In tourist areas, curious visitors should not be allowed to take photos of the typhoon. Mountain areas are asked to monitor high-risk areas and prepare forces to evacuate people if necessary.

Mr. Tien said, “People can be evacuated to concrete houses of their neighbors or seek shelter at the office buildings of the People's Committees and meeting halls of enterprises. Rescue forces and means of transportation are ready. When ordered, we will evacuate people to safe places.”

Border soldiers of Van Gia port border gate, Quang Ninh province, help fishermen anchor their boats. (photo: Vu Mien/VOV)

Thai Binh, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, and Hai Phong have closed the seaway. Tran Van Nam, a resident of Thanh Lan island, Co To district, Quang Ninh province, told VOV "The authorities have urged people to move all boats and tourists to safe places. Currently, all boats have sheltered in locks and protected areas. The last boat carried people from Co To island to the mainland at 10am Monday. Thanh Lan island commune has banned boats from going to sea since Sunday morning.”

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam asked the Northern Airports Authority to suspend aircraft arrivals and departures at Noi Bai international airport in Hanoi from 11am to 8pm Tuesday and from 9am to 7pm at Van Don international airport in Quang Ninh province and Cat Bi international airport in Hai Phong city.

So far more than 8 million people in affected areas have received information and instructions for responding to the typhoon.