Storm No. 5 shows no signs of weakening, risk of causing huge damage

Storm No. 5 is currently in the strong development stage, when it approaches the shore it will reach its strongest intensity and shows no signs of weakening. Leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment noted that it is necessary to be cautious of the circulation after the storm, especially in the western region of Nghe An and the Huong Son area of ​​Ha Tinh.

Late on the evening of August 23, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh chaired a meeting on forecasting and warning of storm No. 5 (Kajiki).

At the meeting, Mr. Hoang Duc Cuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Hydrometeorology, said that according to the forecast of the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, there is currently no sign that storm No. 5 will weaken.

Mr. Cuong informed: “Currently, the storm is in the strong development stage, when it gets close to the shore it will reach its strongest intensity. Factors that can weaken the storm are the impact from the terrain if the storm shifts to the North, or the faster moving speed. If the storm moves slowly, it will have enough time to accumulate more energy to increase its intensity. On the contrary, if it moves quickly, the time for the storm to accumulate energy will decrease.”

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh chaired a meeting on forecasting and warning of storm No. 5. Photo: Pham Hieu.

At the meeting, representatives of hydrometeorological agencies in key areas of the storm reported on the situation, developments and risks of natural disasters in the locality. Representatives of the Ha Tinh Province Hydrometeorological Station said that the locality currently has many areas of rice that are about to be harvested and fruit trees, which will be seriously affected if the wind is at level 10 or higher.

“From 5 p.m. on August 23, the province has banned the sea, and reservoirs have started releasing water to prepare for floods. The province has also issued many directives, identified the possibility of heavy rain and developed plans to respond to storms and floods,” a local representative informed. A representative from Nghe An province reported that many reservoirs are currently full due to recent heavy rains. If heavy rain continues, it will cause damage to newly planted rice fields as well as reservoir works, so special attention is needed.

In Quang Tri, small reservoirs have reached 50-70% of their capacity. The province has banned sea travel and is urgently speeding up the progress and natural disaster prevention plans for dams, dykes and embankments under construction.

According to Mr. Pham Duc Luan, Director of the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, with its strong intensity, storm No. 5 can cause great damage. Localities need to ensure the safety of boats and people living along the coast. Strong winds will affect houses, structures, and trees, so they need to be secured and trimmed promptly. In particular, it is necessary to be cautious of post-storm circulation, especially in the western region of Nghe An and Huong Son, Ha Tinh, which are key areas with a high risk of prolonged severe flooding.

Storm No. 5 shows no signs of weakening. Photo: NCHMF

Directing the meeting, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh emphasized that storm No. 5 appeared at a special time when the whole country was preparing to celebrate National Day on September 2. Therefore, the Deputy Minister requested the Department of Hydrometeorology to closely monitor the storm's developments. In addition to domestic data, it is necessary to exploit more international forecast sources and maximize satellite and radar systems in the region. Not only relying on forecast models, but also combining all actual measurement data to assess changes in storm intensity.

Mr. Thanh also requested that provincial and municipal hydrometeorological agencies provide timely information and regularly explain clearly storm warning information to local authorities, especially in the context that many localities have just implemented a two-level government model.

“Localities and media channels need to specify and explain how each wind level affects buildings and houses so that people can proactively respond,” the Deputy Minister noted.

In parallel, it is necessary to provide early warning to transport ships on waterways, which are very crowded and easily affected by strong winds. The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment also requested localities and wind farm investors to assess the wind resistance of wind power projects in the affected areas of storm No. 5 to have response plans.

“Currently, the atmosphere at highway construction sites is very urgent. However, heavy rain and strong winds pose many risks, so safety must be ensured,” Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh added.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/doi-song/bao-so-5-chua-co-dau-hieu-suy-yeu-nguy-co-gay-thiet-hai-rat-lon-i779088/