On the afternoon of June 11, 2025, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep chaired a meeting to respond to Storm No. 1 and heavy rains and floods. According to a report by the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention, a tropical depression formed in the northern part of the East Sea on June 9; by the morning of June 10, it had intensified into a tropical storm.
GUIDANCE FOR SHIPS TO AVOID THE STORM AT SEA
Opening the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep stated that this year’s storm arrived slightly earlier than in previous years. Due to the storm’s influence, some central provinces have experienced rainfall. At this time, rainfall in these central locations is beneficial as the dry season is beginning. However, this storm poses a risk of heavy and concentrated rainfall over a short period, which may lead to flooding and landslides.
Mr. Mai Van Khiem, Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, announced that the tropical depression had strengthened into a storm, the first storm of 2025, internationally named WUTIP, as of the morning of June 11, 2025. At 1 pm on June 11, the storm’s eye was located east of the Paracel Islands, with maximum winds of 62-74 km/h near the eye and gusts of up to 10 levels.
It is forecast that the storm will move west-northwest at a speed of about 10 km/h this afternoon. From tonight until tomorrow, the storm is likely to move northwest and north toward Hainan Island (China). Regarding intensity, winds of level 8 are expected to persist today (June 11). Tomorrow (June 12), the storm is expected to intensify to level 9, and by June 13, it may strengthen further to level 10.
According to Mr. Khiem, international forecasts from Japan, the US, and China share the view that the storm will move in an arc toward Hainan Island and then make landfall in China.
In terms of intensity, most current forecasts predict a maximum intensity of level 10 with gusts of up to level 12. It is expected to reach its peak intensity around June 13 when it approaches the southern waters of Hainan Island.
PREVENTING FLOODING AND RAIN-INDUCED FLOODS
According to a report by the Border Guard Command, 53,792 vehicles and 223,054 individuals have been accounted for and informed of the tropical depression’s development and direction; 160 vessels with 752 people were operating in the northern East Sea, including the Paracel Islands. Vessels in the affected area have received warnings and are moving to avoid the storm.
On June 10, 2025, the Prime Minister issued Dispatch No. 86/CD-TTg, directing the People’s Committees of coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Quang Ngai, Kon Tum, and Gia Lai, as well as relevant ministries and sectors, to proactively respond to the tropical depression, which could strengthen into a storm and cause heavy rains and floods.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has also issued three dispatches and directives since the formation of the tropical depression (Dispatch No. 2969/CD-BNNMT dated June 10, 2025, and two documents No. 2909/BNNMT-DD dated June 9, 2025, and No. 2992/BNNMT-DD dated June 10, 2025).
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep stated: “Usually, storms form off the coast of the Philippines before moving into the East Sea, but this time, Storm No. 1 formed directly in the East Sea. According to forecasts, this storm will not make landfall, but it will bring heavy rains to the Central, North-Central, and Central Highlands regions, with average rainfall of 100 to 200mm and up to 300mm or more in some places.”
“As this area is experiencing drought, people may be complacent about the rain. However, the unusual rainfall pattern during this period, with heavy rainfall concentrated in a short period, can cause localized flooding and landslides. Therefore, relevant agencies need to pay attention and organize both onshore and inland storm prevention efforts simultaneously,” emphasized Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep.
The Deputy Minister requested that ministries, sectors, and localities strictly adhere to the Prime Minister’s Dispatch No. 86, particularly regarding the Prime Minister’s instruction to overcome complacency as this is the first storm, and agencies and units may not be fully prepared to respond. He stressed that the merging of agencies, units, and administrative boundaries should not cause any neglect in disaster prevention and control tasks.
Localities and the Border Guard Force must urgently call on vessels to return to ports and find safe shelter, ensuring that no vessel remains in dangerous areas. With storms like this, which can easily change course, fishermen’s complacency and lack of timely information about the storm’s path can quickly lead them into dangerous areas. Relevant agencies should focus on evacuating people from hazardous areas prone to landslides.
The Deputy Minister directed the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting to provide regular updates through various media channels. For areas experiencing localized heavy rains, forecasts must be issued at least six hours in advance, and accurate information about the rain must be provided at least three hours ahead of time to avoid unnecessary losses of life and property.
Ensuring the safety of essential structures: reservoirs, transportation infrastructure under construction or repair, etc., as well as the safety of workers involved in these projects, is crucial.
The Department of Management and Construction of Hydraulic Works needs to reassess the water storage capacity of hydraulic structures and coordinate with localities to calculate water discharge capacity to prevent flooding in major cities.
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Recent heavy rains have placed Thua Thien Hue province on high alert for potential severe flooding, especially in the lowlands along major rivers such as the Huong and Bo Rivers. The entire province has been mobilized to evacuate hundreds of households from high-risk landslide areas to safer grounds.
Reinforcing the Coastline: Emergency Measures Taken to Combat Severe Coastal Erosion in Thua Thien Hue
Recent heavy rains have caused severe coastal erosion in Tan An village, Phu Thuan commune, Phu Vang district (Thua Thien Hue province). The erosion has encroached approximately 100 meters inland, destroying the beachfront walkway and damaging the seaside promenade.
Landslides Wreak Havoc Across Multiple Regions
Due to heavy rainfall in the provinces of Son La, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ninh Binh, several landslides have occurred. Local authorities promptly evacuated affected residents to safer locations.
