The predicted route of typhoon Ragasa (photo: NCHMF)

Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Mai Van Khiem said Monday: “Waves of up to 2 or 3 meters are forecast but the chance of winds as strong as Typhoon Yagi in 2024 is low. Rainfall in the northern delta could reach 150-250 millimeters, and as much as 450 millimeters in some parts of Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, and Phu Tho province between Wednesday and Friday. Be alert for river floods.”

The northern delta has over 800,000 hectares of rice which is at the ripening season. In the north-central region, 128,000 hectares of rice are not yet harvested. 37 million cattle and 559 million poultry must be protected from flooding and strong winds.

Pham Duc Luan, Director of the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (photo: Dinh Chung)

Pham Duc Luan, Director of the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, said: “If the storm makes landfall at level 9 or 10, with gusts reaching level 14, it will cause damage to agriculture. Attention should be paid to drainage and reinforcing houses. Thunderstorms at sea may occur, and tourist vessels may be affected.”

The Border Guard has informed 215,000 sailors aboard 54,000 vessels at sea of the storm’s developments.

Major General Pham Hai Chau, Deputy Director of the Department of Search and Rescue of the General Staff at the Ministry of National Defense, said: “The Ministry has deployed 8,000 vehicles and 6 aircraft to respond to the typhoon. From our experience, we predict this will be a very dangerous typhoon that could cause severe damage. Units must inspect critical areas and military commands must remain on duty and operate the 112 hotline.”

Hai Phong city has reviewed vulnerable points of dikes, embankments, and sluices, deployed forces for dike protection, and prepared machinery and equipment to promptly handle landslides and ensure smooth traffic. About 3,000 households have been evacuated to safer areas. Thanh Hoa province has asked localities to immediately informing boat owners and captains still operating at sea of the storm’s forecast.

Ninh Binh province has deployed response forces in coastal areas and inland to help people harvest agricultural products. The army and police forces have deployed vehicles and equipment for evacuation of residents and search and rescue efforts.