Hundreds of thousands evacuated as storm approaches

Local residents in Da Nang City being transported to safety

Nhan Dan – Local governments and residents in the central provinces are making last-minute preparations for the arrival of Typhoon Haiyan, which is forecast to make landfall tonight.

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To limit the damage caused by the storm, hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated to safe places, and Vietnam Airlines has canceled 52 flights to central provinces. Measures are also being taken to protect irrigation works, buildings and storm shelters.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development urged local officials to strengthen supervision of dams and irrigation systems to prevent rapid flooding. The Vietnam Red Cross Society has earmarked VND5 billion and prepared 5,000 relief aid packages to support provinces hit hard by the storm.

Thanh Hoa province has established 13 inspection teams to supervise and direct storm prevention and control works. Localities in the province have also organised forces to ensure reservoir safety.

As of 6pm on November 9, 3,904 vessels and more than 14,000 people working at sea off Ha Tinh province had come ashore to find safe shelter. The province has started evacuating more than 72,000 people from the path of the storm.

Over 110,000 people in Thua Thien – Hue province have taken refuge in evacuation centres.

More than 400,000 people in dangerous areas throughout Quang Ngai province are being evacuated. In Binh Hai commune, Binh Son district, five evacuation centres have been set up for 7,300 households. On Ly Son Island, about 10,000 people have taken shelter at government offices, schools, clinics and elevated areas.

Dak Lak province has assigned staff to co-ordinate with localities in the province to strengthen inspection and supervision of irrigation works and hydropower plants, as well as to devise plans for relocating residents living along rivers and streams in case of flooding.

Binh Dinh province has moved 5,412 households to safe places.

More than 1,000 fishing vessels in Bac Lieu province had found to safe anchorage by yesterday evening.

The Vietnam Electricity Central Power Corporation (EVNCPC) stands determined to actively co-ordinate with provinces and cities to prepare for all power outages as the storm approaches.