Central region practices responding to super typhoon

Adjusting the schedule of the storm response conference

On August 24, when the weather was still clear, on the coastal routes of Nghe An , a series of boats were urgently brought to shelters by fishermen. In Trung Loc commune, fisherman Nguyen Van Tinh said: "Although I had anchored since August 23, when I heard the forecast that the storm would hit this area, I had to take the boat deep into the mangrove forest of Loc My village to be safe, avoiding big waves hitting the wharf."

Nghe An responds to storm No. 5. Clip: DUY CUONG

Since early afternoon, the sky of Nghe An has suddenly darkened, with heavy rain. Cua Lo is deserted with tourists , Cua Hoi waves are rising, Lam River is muddy. Nghe An Border Guards have deployed a series of plans: sea routes to help fishermen anchor, tie down boats, rafts; border routes to check for landslides, evacuate people from dangerous areas.

Hue City Border Guard helps people cope with storm No. 5

In addition to responding to natural disasters, Nghe An has also flexibly adjusted its political and educational activities. The Party Committee of Tuong Duong commune decided to postpone the Party Congress of the commune for the 2025-2030 term from August 25 and 26 to August 28 and 29. Party Secretary Le Van Luong affirmed: "Adjusting the schedule demonstrates responsibility and flexibility, ensuring absolute safety for delegates and people."

Postponing the school opening date

Nghe An’s education sector also announced a delay in the start of the 2025-2026 school year, originally scheduled for August 25, to allow students to avoid storms and rain. A number of coastal and low-lying schools have proactively sealed records, secured windows, and moved teaching equipment to higher floors.

In Ha Tinh, the storm prevention atmosphere is urgent. People take advantage of the clear weather to move their belongings and reinforce their roofs. This year, instead of just using sandbags, which are scarce and expensive, people have creatively used plastic bags, foam boxes, and plastic water cans to place on the roof. This new method makes use of available materials, is both flexible and cost-effective, and helps reinforce the roof effectively.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, a resident of Cam Xuyen coastal area, shared: “Sandbags are hard to find, expensive, and heavy. Pouring water into bags, cans, and barrels is easy and cheap. My whole neighborhood uses it.”

The education sector in Ha Tinh also took drastic action. The provincial Department of Education and Training issued a document requiring more than 67,000 students to stay home from school from August 25 and not to organize any activities during the storm. Schools must establish communication channels with parents, manage students at home, and be on duty 24/7 to protect facilities, records, desks, chairs, and equipment. Many old, dilapidated schools were urgently inspected to avoid roof collapse and flooding.

The education sector in Hue and Quang Tri also decided to postpone the school opening date from August 25 to August 28, requiring schools to proactively prepare for storms and protect facilities.

The Ha Tinh police force also joined hands with the people. In Dien Sanh commune, Quang Tri province, the commune police union members and kindergarten teachers reinforced houses and trimmed trees. In Dong Le commune, Quang Tri province, the police established 5 working groups with 130 officers to monitor the area and proactively evacuate people when necessary. In Sen Ngu commune, Quang Tri province, the police went down to the village to help fishermen tie down boats and move fishing gear. In particular, the poor and single-parent households received direct support from police officers.

Evacuate people and soldiers to storm shelters

In Thua Thien Hue, the city's Border Guard thoroughly implemented the "4 on-site" motto. The Thuan An Port Border Guard Station called for and guided ships to anchor, ensuring safety for 1,125 vehicles with 8,097 workers. Border Guard Squadron 2 maintained its permanent staff, vehicles, equipment, and was ready to mobilize for rescue. Colonel Hoang Minh Hung, Commander of the Hue City Border Guard, emphasized: "We closely followed key areas, checked households that needed to be evacuated, and were determined not to be surprised."

The soldiers also went directly to the villages to help people reinforce their houses and move their belongings. Ms. Nguyen Thi Bong, from Hoa Duan residential group, was moved: "Thanks to the border guards' help, people feel much more secure."

Border guards help Hue City residents put sandbags on roofs to prevent them from being blown off

Meanwhile, in Quang Tri, Con Co special zone has planned to evacuate nearly 400 soldiers and civilians to safe shelters. Secretary - Chairman of the special zone People's Committee Tran Xuan Anh said: "We are determined to implement "4 on-site", not to be surprised. All soldiers and civilians will be taken to solid shelters". Currently, 9 ships have safely anchored at Con Co port.

Hue City Border Guards help fishermen bring their boats ashore

Party Central Committee member and Quang Tri Provincial Party Secretary Le Ngoc Quang directly inspected key points such as Nam Cua Viet anchorage area, My Thuy port, and Nam Thach Han irrigation project. He requested that people absolutely not be allowed to stay on boats and rafts when the storm hits; the government must be on duty 24/7, ensuring the safety of people's lives, even forcing them when necessary. Key projects have shifted from construction to storm prevention; Nam Thach Han irrigation project has reasonable water regulation to reduce damage to downstream areas.