Many localities urgently evacuated people and reinforced constructions.

On the afternoon of August 24, at the Military Region 4 Command Headquarters, an urgent atmosphere prevailed when the conference on task assignment for responding to storm No. 5 took place under the chairmanship of Lieutenant General Ha Tho Binh, Commander of Military Region 4. The storm's path map was continuously updated on the large screen, and each parameter of wind gusts and rainfall was closely monitored by staff officers. Lieutenant General Ha Tho Binh emphasized: "We must concentrate all resources, adhere to the "4 on-site" motto, and not be surprised in any situation." Lieutenant General Ha Tho Binh requested that units prepare sufficient forces and means, be ready to mobilize, and at the same time calculate in advance the plan to overcome the consequences of storms and floods.

In Nghe An , the Provincial People's Committee has organized many working groups to inspect the situation and direct the synchronous implementation of response solutions. The authorities have evacuated more than 400 households with more than 1,300 people from Quang Trung apartment building because the building has seriously degraded and is at risk of collapsing during the storm season. At the mouths of large creeks, such as Lach Con, Lach Quen, Lach Thoi, Lach Van, storm prevention and control work is taking place urgently. By the afternoon of August 24, Nghe An province only had 3 vehicles with 30 workers on their way to safe shelters.

Forces of the Ha Tinh Provincial Military Command reinforce the Hoi Thong dike in Dan Hai commune. Photo: HOA LE

In Ha Tinh , when thick dark clouds covered the sea accompanied by thunderstorms, the provincial civil defense system entered a state of emergency. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Ha Tinh Provincial Civil Defense Command, signed a decision to establish a forward command post located in Tien Dien commune. At the Hoi Thong dike, more than 200 officers and soldiers of the Ha Tinh Provincial Military Command, along with the police and militia, urgently reinforced and built temporary embankments on the afternoon of August 24.

During the day, the provincial military coordinated the evacuation of 3,785 households with 9,345 people to safe storm shelters. Colonel Nguyen Xuan Thang, Commander of the Ha Tinh Provincial Military Command, said: "The troops not only helped people reinforce structures but also coordinated the evacuation of people from dangerous areas, determined to avoid human casualties."

Border guards of Ha Tinh province help people evacuate to safety. Photo: THANH GIANG
Border guards of Ha Tinh province help people move their belongings to a safe place. Photo: THANH GIANG

In Tien Dien commune, where waves were forecast to be 4-6m high, fisherman Trinh Van Man hired a tractor to move two 30CV boats deep inland. Man shared: "If the boat is left close to the edge of the sea, just one big wave will be enough to sweep away all the assets I have saved up my whole life." At the same time, people were hurriedly pulling boats, tying up rafts, reinforcing roofs and windows, and trimming trees to prevent wind gusts.

On Con Co Island ( Quang Tri ), which is predicted to be the first place affected by storm No. 5, the Party Committee, government and military have mobilized all human resources and means to help people reinforce their houses and move boats, ships and equipment to a safe place. Captain Nguyen Trung Anh, Deputy Battalion Commander of the Mixed Battalion, Defense Command of Region 3 - Vinh Linh, said: "By 6:00 p.m. on August 24, we had completed the evacuation of 400 people to shelters." The local government and forces have also prepared adequate equipment and necessities for people in the complicated and prolonged weather conditions.

Decisive and synchronous to reduce damage

In Thanh Hoa , the Provincial People's Committee established 8 inspection teams in key areas to prepare for storm No. 5. The whole province has 169 live television bridges to localities and relevant agencies to promptly direct situations according to the storm's developments; in which, the National Civil Defense Command directed Thanh Hoa province to establish 2 live television bridges to connect with the Government Office and the Department of Rescue and Relief.

The province has prepared plans to evacuate people in case of heavy rain due to prolonged storm circulation, ensuring that evacuation sites have enough food and provisions, and that no one is left hungry or cold. Colonel Vu Van Tung, Commander of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Military Command, said: “We have alerted 100% of our troops. The force ready to respond directly is 1,150 comrades; the militia and self-defense force is 16,500 comrades; in addition, there are 1,950 officers and soldiers from units of the Ministry of National Defense stationed in the area, closely coordinating with the province.”

The Defense Command of Area 1-Trieu Son (Thanh Hoa Provincial Military Command) and other forces brought ships and boats to shelters. Photo: KHANH TRINH

In Quang Tri , the provincial People's Committee requested localities to respond to storm No. 5 at the highest level. By 4 p.m. the same day, the entire province had called for 8,705 vehicles with 24,072 workers to safely anchor ashore. People were advised not to leave their homes from 9 p.m. on August 24 until further notice, except for rescue forces.

In Hue City , the working group of Military Region 4 Command and the City People's Committee inspected storm prevention and control work at Thuan An sea bridge, fishing ports, and anchorage areas. The Hue City Military Command mobilized more than 100 officers and soldiers to support people in moving food, property, and harvesting rice and crops.

From the commander's decisive orders, the urgent vehicles evacuating people, to each sandbag tightly packed at the foot of the dike... all show the decisive and synchronous participation of the entire political system and the Military Region 4, aiming to minimize the damage caused by the storm.

Article and photos: Reporters at Military Region 4

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/quan-khu-4-va-cac-tinh-chu-dong-khan-truong-phong-chong-bao-842899