The 31st session of the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Council, originally scheduled for two days (21/7-22/7), has been reduced to one day due to the approaching Typhoon Wipha. The council confirmed that all essential matters will still be addressed.

Fishermen in Sam Son secure their boats at Lach Hoi anchorage. Photo: Le Hoang

Fishermen in Sam Son secure their boats at Lach Hoi anchorage. Photo: Le Hoang

Nguyen Doan Anh, Secretary of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee, anticipating the significant impact of Typhoon Wipha, directed all officials to return to their localities immediately after the council meeting to oversee storm preparations and address any arising issues.

Six working groups have been deployed to key areas in both mountainous and coastal regions of Thanh Hoa province. The province has 71 mountainous communes vulnerable to landslides and flash floods. According to Mr. Doan Anh, these localities have prepared plans and scenarios for potential emergencies.

Two young men reinforce a shop on Ho Xuan Huong Street, Sam Son ward, on the afternoon of 21/7. Photo: Le Hoang

Two young men reinforce a shop on Ho Xuan Huong Street, Sam Son ward, on the afternoon of 21/7. Photo: Le Hoang

All coastal communes in Thanh Hoa have completed their boat relocation and house reinforcement plans. Over 6,500 vessels with nearly 22,000 workers are now safely sheltered. Nine vessels with 88 crew members are currently operating in the waters off Quang Tri, Hue, and some southern provinces. These crews have been informed about Typhoon Wipha and remain in contact with their families and authorities.

While the exact number of households requiring evacuation is yet to be determined, authorities in coastal and mountainous areas have prepared plans to use schools and public offices as evacuation centers.

Fishermen rush to pull their boats onto the streets of Sam Son to avoid the storm. Video: Le Hoang

In border communes like Na Meo, Son Thuy, Trung Ly, and Pu Nhi, where landslide risks are high due to heavy rain, temporary shelters have been erected for residents.

Ngan Phuc Hau, Vice Chairman of the Na Meo Commune People's Committee, stated that the commune has also stocked essential supplies like food, water, and lighting for those seeking shelter.

Shrimp farm owners in Nghe An province are also rushing to prepare for the storm. Located on the edge of the storm's path, dozens of shrimp farm owners in the coastal communes of Hai Chau and An Chau (formerly Dien Chau district) have been dismantling thousands of square meters of protective netting and reinforcing their farm structures since the morning of 21/7. Many farm owners have moved equipment to higher ground and have staff on duty around the clock, ready to respond if winds reach level 7 or higher.

Owners of high-tech shrimp farms are checking electrical systems, pumps, and pond water levels to prevent overflow during heavy rain. "The nets have been rolled up, and the frames are secured with cables. We will lower the nets immediately if the wind gusts become too strong," said Nguyen Cuong, a shrimp farm owner in An Chau commune. He added that many aquaculture farmers in the commune are concerned about saltwater intrusion from potential flooding, which could kill their shrimp, and have therefore started draining water and preparing mitigation measures.

In Cua Lo, a popular coastal tourist destination, a swimming ban has been issued due to heavy rain and strong waves. Police, militia, and rescue personnel are patrolling day and night to enforce the ban, which is expected to remain in effect until the storm passes. Raft owners have been instructed to bring their people and assets ashore and have signed agreements not to remain at sea during the storm.

Nguyen Cuong's shrimp pond in An Chau commune will have its nets removed if wind gusts exceed level 7. Photo: Duc Hung

Nguyen Cuong's shrimp pond in An Chau commune will have its nets removed if wind gusts exceed level 7. Photo: Duc Hung

Nguyen Truong Thanh, Chief of Office of the Nghe An Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, Search and Rescue, and Civil Defense, reported that the province has 2,816 fishing vessels with over 12,000 crew members. As of this evening, all vessels have been notified of Typhoon Wipha's location and trajectory, and none are out of contact or operating in dangerous areas.

"Nghe An has not yet initiated evacuations, but detailed plans are in place to move residents in high-risk areas, such as coastal regions and mountainous areas prone to flash floods and deep inundation, to safety," Mr. Thanh said.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting predicts that Typhoon Wipha, after entering the Gulf of Tonkin on the morning of 21/7, may intensify to level 10-11, with gusts up to level 14 as it approaches the Hai Phong - Thanh Hoa coastal area. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain, exceeding 600 mm in some areas, particularly in the northeast, the mountainous regions of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, and Ha Tinh provinces.

Le Hoang - Duc Hung