Hanoi is in the path of Typhoon Wipha and faces the risk of heavy rain and strong winds. City authorities identified the G6A Thanh Cong apartment building in the former Ba Dinh district as a vulnerable area. The G6A building comprises five stories and three blocks.
In 2016, inspectors declared blocks 1 and 2 as level D dangerous, requiring evacuation and demolition for reconstruction. However, despite 9 years of encouragement to relocate, dozens of G6A households remained, even after the exterior was sealed with corrugated iron.
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The last residents were assisted in evacuating the dangerous G6A Thanh Cong apartment building to take shelter from the typhoon. Photo: Hoang Phong |
The last residents were assisted in evacuating the dangerous G6A Thanh Cong apartment building to take shelter from the typhoon. Photo: Hoang Phong
Representatives from the government and local organizations worked to persuade the G6A residents to evacuate. By 9 PM, the last household agreed to move to temporary accommodation provided by the authorities. "A total of 18 people were living in 8 apartments, including two people over 75 and two children under 14," said Co Nhu Dung, Chairman of the Giang Vo ward People's Committee.
Dung stated that during the temporary evacuation, the government would provide support and ensure residents' basic needs. They also arranged for militia to be stationed at the old building to ensure security and protect residents' property.
This is the second time authorities have evacuated residents from the old G6A Thanh Cong apartment building due to a typhoon. The previous evacuation occurred in 9/2024 in preparation for Typhoon Yagi.
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Giang Vo ward People's Committee Chairman Co Nhu Dung (white shirt) discusses security measures with the militia for the old apartment building during the residents' temporary evacuation. Photo: Hoang Phong |
Giang Vo ward People's Committee Chairman Co Nhu Dung (white shirt) discusses security measures with the militia for the old apartment building during the residents' temporary evacuation. Photo: Hoang Phong
Wipha, the third typhoon in the East Sea this year, is forecast to hit the Hai Phong - Thanh Hoa area tomorrow morning with winds of level 9-10. According to the meteorological agency, tonight, southern and central Hanoi, including wards such as Ha Dong, Thanh Xuan, Hoang Mai, Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, and Tu Liem, will experience winds of level 5-6, with gusts of 7-8. Xuan Mai, Son Tay, Hoa Lac, Quoc Oai, and Ba Vi communes will have winds of level 4-5, with gusts of 6.
From the evening of the 21st to the 23rd of July, the city is expected to receive 100-200 mm of rain, with Chuong My, Phu Xuyen, and Van Dinh districts potentially reaching 150-250 mm.
Flooding is possible on the Bui, Tich, Ca Lo, and Day rivers, with water levels rising 1.5-3.5 m. Water levels may exceed alarm level two in some areas, causing flooding in riverside communes such as Tran Phu, Quang Bi, Xuan Mai, My Duc, and Hoa Xa.
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A corner of the G6A Thanh Cong apartment building. Photo: Pham Chieu |
A corner of the G6A Thanh Cong apartment building. Photo: Pham Chieu
In response to the typhoon, on the evening of 21/7, Hanoi People's Committee Chairman Tran Si Thanh requested that the chairmen of ward and commune People's Committees proactively inspect residential areas and evacuate people from unsafe houses and areas at risk of landslides, flash floods, and deep flooding.
"Organize traffic control, diversions, and guidance, limiting people going out during the typhoon's landfall and pre-typhoon gales. Control and provide guidance at underpasses, overflows, flooded roads, and fast-flowing water areas, as well as routes with incidents or at risk of landslides," the official dispatch stated.
Vo Hai
