According to reports, Lao Cai province recorded an additional 89 deaths and missing persons in Bao Yen district. As of noon on September 11, there were 155 casualties (53 deaths and 102 missing persons) in Lao Cai province, including 109 in Bao Yen, 8 in Sa Pa, 13 in Bat Xat, 7 in Si Ma Cai, 15 in Bac Ha, and 2 in Van Ban.
EMPLOYING HELICOPTERS FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS
Cao Bang province reported 52 casualties in Nguyen Binh district (29 deaths and 23 missing persons). Yen Bai province suffered 40 casualties due to landslides (37 deaths and 3 missing persons) in the following districts: Luc Yen (13), Yen Bai city (20), Van Chan (1), Van Yen (4), and Tran Yen (2). Quang Ninh province reported 13 deaths, including 12 due to the storm and 1 due to flooding. Phu Tho province had 10 casualties (8 missing persons due to the Phong Chau bridge collapse, 1 missing person due to flooding, and 1 death due to a landslide).
The remaining provinces and cities reported the following casualties: Hai Phong (2 deaths due to the storm), Hai Duong (1 death due to the storm), Hanoi (1 death due to the storm), Hoa Binh (5 deaths due to landslides), Lang Son (3 deaths due to flooding and landslides), Bac Giang (2 deaths due to flooding), Tuyen Quang (2 deaths and 1 missing person due to flooding), Ha Giang (1 death and 1 missing person), Lai Chau (1 death due to a landslide), and Vinh Phuc (1 death and 1 missing person due to a capsized boat).
On September 11, the Air Defense and Air Force Service received information and, embodying the spirit of “Putting the people’s interests above all else,” dispatched hundreds of officers, soldiers, equipment, and vehicles to areas affected by the storm to provide assistance to the people. In Trang Dinh district, Lang Son province, where severe flooding occurred, Radar Station 59 of Squadron 291, Division 365, coordinated with local forces to implement measures to overcome the consequences of the storm since September 10, with the approval of their superiors.
Given the complex developments of the floods in the entire Northern region, Squadron 916, Division 371, carried out the order of their superiors on September 11 by formulating plans to utilize aircraft and rescue forces to provide assistance to the people in the flood-affected areas. Since the third storm approached the Northern coastal and inland areas, the Squadron’s flight crews and rescue and relief forces have been on 24/7 standby at the airport, awaiting orders. Additionally, the Squadron organized ground teams to rush to the aid of people in areas severely affected by the third storm.
Division 361 directed Squadron 236 to assist the people in harvesting rice and reinforcing the dike against flooding in Thanh Xuan commune, Soc Son district, Hanoi, as well as to address the aftermath of the storm in Nhan Hoa ward, My Hao town, Hung Yen province. Squadron 64 mobilized rescue forces to coordinate with the people of Dong Son commune in reinforcing the dike against flooding in a section of De Vang dike in Dong Son commune, Chuong My district…
THAC BA HYDROPOWER PLANT REMAINS SAFE
On the morning of September 11, 2024, a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long inspected and directed flood control operations at the Thac Ba Hydropower Plant. Accompanying the Deputy Prime Minister were Nguyen Hoang Hiep, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Pham Duc Luan, Director of the Department of Dikes and Flood and Storm Control; and representatives from relevant ministries, sectors, and localities.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long emphasized to the leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Yen Bai province, and the Director of Thac Ba Hydropower Plant the need to strictly adhere to the directions of the Prime Minister, especially prioritizing the health and lives of the people above all else.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Hoang Hiep stated that, as of that moment, the Thac Ba Hydropower Plant was safe. However, it would take another 1-2 days for the water level to reach the permitted level, and the people in the area would need to remain in temporary accommodation to prepare for any possible contingencies.
With the weather forecast in mind, the Thac Ba Hydropower Plant situation is expected to be resolved favorably, and the water level will drop below the permitted threshold. The predicted rainfall in the area over the next 48 hours is approximately 40-50 mm, and within the next 24 hours, it is expected to be around 15-20 mm. The functional forces have calculated all possible scenarios and are ready to respond with the primary goal of minimizing losses, with the utmost priority given to the lives of the people.
“The inflow into Thac Ba Lake has decreased significantly. According to data as of 7:00 AM on September 11, the inflow decreased to 3,180 m3/s, a reduction of more than 1,000 m3/s compared to yesterday afternoon (September 10). The current water level is at 59.84 meters, and the total discharge through the plant is 3,201 m3/s. The plant and reservoir remain very safe, but we must not be complacent.”
Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, Deputy General Director of Thac Ba Hydropower JSC
According to the Yen Bai Provincial People’s Committee’s report on the morning of September 11, due to the influence of the third storm, there was light rain in many areas of Yen Bai province from the evening of September 10 to the morning of September 11.
On the Thao River in Yen Bai, the water level at 6:00 AM on September 11 was 34.63 m (2.63 m above the third alarm level). On the Ngòi Thia River, the water level at 5:00 AM on September 11 was 42.01 m (2.46 m below the first alarm level). On the Chảy River at Thác Bà, the water level at 5:00 AM on September 11 was 28.83 m (6.83 m above the third alarm level).
Earlier, on September 10, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son signed Dispatch No. 91/CD-TTg of the Prime Minister, sent to the Secretaries and Chairmen of the People’s Committees of three provinces: Lao Cai, Ha Giang, and Yen Bai, regarding the implementation of urgent measures to ensure the safety of the Thac Ba Hydropower Plant.
To ensure the safety of the Thac Ba Hydropower Plant, the Prime Minister requested that the Secretaries and Chairmen of the People’s Committees of the provinces of Lao Cai, Ha Giang, and Yen Bai directly lead and instruct the local competent agencies to review and immediately implement measures to prevent and minimize the flow into the Thac Ba Hydropower Plant.
In Dispatch No. 92/CD-TTg dated September 10, 2024, on focusing on overcoming the consequences of the third storm and post-storm floods, the Prime Minister continued to request the provinces of Ha Giang, Lao Cai, and Yen Bai to find all possible measures to control the floodwater flowing from the upstream to Thac Ba Lake. Hanoi city and the provinces of Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, and especially Yen Bai should prepare for the worst-case scenario regarding Thac Ba Lake, as directed by the Prime Minister at the online meeting on September 10, 2024.
The Red River Floods: High Waters Threaten Hanoi with Devastating Floods
The Hong (Red) River is swelling, and with the heavy rain, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has issued a flood warning for Hanoi on the morning of September 10, 2024. Many inner-city streets are at risk of flooding, with water levels expected to reach depths of 10-20 cm in many areas, and some streets may experience depths of over 25 cm.
The Power is Back: 3 Provinces and Cities Have Their Electricity Restored
As of September 10th, the power grid affected by Storm No. 3 in Quang Ninh province, Hai Phong city and Hai Duong province has been substantially restored. Essential services such as hospitals, communication networks and clean water supplies have had their power restored.
The Looming Threat of Super Typhoon Yagi: Travel Agencies Scramble to Postpone Tours
The tourism industry in Quang Ninh Province has been dealt a heavy blow as a series of tours have been canceled due to a provincial ban on sea travel from noon today (September 6th). With the announcement, tourists are now seeking safe shelter, leaving the province’s tourism sector in a state of flux.
Evacuating Over 52,000 People from the Path of Storm No. 3
As of 3 pm on September 6th, provinces and cities from Quang Ninh to Nghe An had evacuated 27,582 residents to safety as the storm approached. The plan, from the afternoon of the 6th to the morning of the 7th (before the storm made landfall), was to relocate an additional 25,185 people from vulnerable areas such as cages, watchtowers, and hazardous zones to safer ground.
The Perfect Storm: As Super Typhoon No. 3 Looms, Thanh Hoa Endures Heavy Rains and Strong Winds, with Trees Uprooted and Strewn Across the Province.
From the evening of September 5th to the early hours of the 6th, heavy rains and strong winds battered the province of Thanh Hoa, causing extensive damage. Many trees were uprooted and toppled, a scene of chaos and destruction was witnessed across the region.
