The Devastating Impact of Storm No. 3: Over 60,000 Billion Dong Lost

The preliminary damage estimate of over 60,000 billion VND for Northern provinces is higher than last week’s report (40,000 billion VND).

Storm No. 3 and its aftermath have caused severe damage, disrupting production and business activities, especially in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.

According to the General Statistics Office, among the 26 provinces and cities affected by Storm No. 3, the annual growth of some localities is expected to decline. Quang Ninh province is the most heavily impacted, with an estimated reduction of 0.65% in growth; followed by Hai Phong and Lao Cai with 0.63%, and Thai Nguyen with a 0.59% decrease.

The annual growth of Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, and Yen Bai is expected to decrease by an average of 0.5%. Bac Kan, Ha Giang, Hoa Binh, Bac Giang, and Son La are projected to experience an average reduction of 0.4%. Other provinces will face declines ranging from 0.2 to 0.35%, while Thanh Hoa is estimated to have the lowest impact, with an approximate reduction of 0.14% in annual growth.

All three pillars of the economy—agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; industry and construction; and services—have sustained damage. According to the General Statistics Office, the country’s agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector may experience a reduction of approximately 0.33% in growth for the entire year compared to the projected scenario.

Based on local estimates, the General Statistics Office reported that as of September 18, the damaged rice cultivation area was nearly 195,000 hectares, with 47,700 hectares of flower and vegetable crops affected. Over 2 million ornamental plants were also impacted.

Long-term crops, especially fruit trees, suffered an estimated loss of 38,000 hectares. Livestock farming was also affected, with over 3.1 million cattle and poultry dead or swept away.

The forestry sector experienced significant damage to concentrated forest plantation areas, amounting to approximately 150,000 hectares. The aquaculture sector was hit hard, with 16,000 hectares of fish farms affected. Nearly 4,800 cages for aquatic and marine species (100m3/cage), and 130 fishing vessels were also damaged.

The industry and construction sector was impacted as well, with essential infrastructure, roads, bridges, electricity, and water supply systems sustaining severe damage. Power outages and communication disruptions during the storm, floods, and heavy rains halted production in industrial parks in these provinces.

The statistical agency assessed that the damage to the industry sector would mainly occur in the third quarter and have a lesser impact in the fourth. For the entire year, the industry and construction sector’s growth may decrease by about 0.05%.

Despite advance warnings and preparations, the service sector was significantly affected by the storm’s extensive damage, particularly in provinces like Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Lao Cai, and Yen Bai. The annual growth of the service sector is projected to decline by 0.22%.