Vietnam braces for tropical storm Son Tinh

Tran Quang Hoai, General Director of the Vietnam Disaster Management Authority (VDMA), has underlined the urgent need to set up delegations to inspect the safety of dykes and reservoirs in important areas as tropical low pressure system has turned into a storm named Son Tinh.

vietnam braces for tropical storm son tinh hinh 0

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

At a meeting in Hanoi on July 17, Hoai, who is also a permanent member of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, asked localities and the Border Guard High Command to keep a close watch on the development of the storm, and guide boats to move out of dangerous areas. 

Apart from evacuating fish cages, localities should work to ensure the safety for tourists, he said, noting that in mountainous areas, which are forecast to be swept by torrential rains, the information work must be stepped up to help local residents and authorities promptly evacuate. 

Regarding the operation of reservoirs, Hoai urged the VDMA to coordinate with the Electricity of Vietnam Group (EVN) in lowering water levels of the dams when the storm land in. 

At the meeting, the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said the storm and tropical low pressure are expected to develop complicatedly, bringing more rains on July 18 with total rainfalls from 200-300mm, mainly in the central provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh, and the northern mountainous provinces of Hoa Binh and Son La. 

According to Colonel Tran Duong Kien, from the Border Guard High Command, 41,042 boats at sea have been informed about the storm, the third of its kind to affect the country this year. 

In the southern province of Kien Giang, all high-speed boats operating on routes from Rach Gia city to Nam Du and Phu Quoc islands, and from Ha Tien town to Phu Quoc have been postponed as impacts of the storm. 

Storm Son Tinh is quickly moving west at 35 km per hour. By 10am on July 18 morning, the storm will be 270km to the east of the coast from the northern port city of Hai Phong to Ha Tinh province with the strongest winds near the storm’s eye reaching 75km per hour, said the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

Due to the storm, seas were rough and thunderstorms appeared in the northern part of the East Sea, including Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.

The centre warned that water levels could rise by 2-4 metres upstream the Hong (Red) – Thai Binh river system, and swell by 3-7 metres in upstream rivers from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri.

Mountainous areas in the provinces of Hoa Binh, Son La, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh have been put on high alert for flash floods and landslides, with Yen Bai particularly at risk last night, the centre said.

Floods are also forecast in lowland and urban areas in the provinces of Hai Duong, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Thai Binh, Hoa Binh and Hanoi, as well as localities from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri.

VNA

Other News

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.