Nearly 30,000 people to be evacuated as Storm Talim approaches

HCMC – Authorities are planning to prohibit coastal activities and evacuate nearly 30,000 people from high-risk areas as a powerful storm named Talim is heading towards the northern region of Vietnam.

In preparation for the approaching storm, authorities have issued instructions to provinces from Quang Ninh to Ninh Binh. These instructions require a review of evacuation plans for residents living in vulnerable areas, including those residing in floating homes and makeshift shelters.

It is estimated that around 29,887 people will need to be evacuated. The breakdown of expected evacuees includes around 700 individuals in Quang Ninh, 8,691 in Haiphong, 19,021 in Thai Binh, 1,128 in Nam Dinh, and 347 in Ninh Binh.

The information was mentioned during a hybrid meeting held this morning, July 17, between the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and the provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and 25 localities in the northern region.

During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang stressed the need for proactive measures and prompt action to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected areas and their residents.

He also urged ministries, agencies, and localities to actively collaborate and effectively respond to any unforeseen situations that may arise.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Storm Talim is expected to have a significant impact on the northern region, bringing with it extended periods of heavy rain.

This weather pattern is anticipated to begin tonight, July 17, and continue until July 20. Rainfalls during this period are projected to range from 200 to 400mm, with certain areas potentially experiencing over 500mm of rain.

Residents are advised to exercise caution, particularly those living in low-lying areas near the coast, river mouths, and eroding shorelines, as there is an increased risk of flooding.

As of 1 p.m. on July 17, the storm is expected to be located nearly 200km east of the Leizhou Peninsula. By 1 p.m. on July 18, the storm is projected to move over the northern part of the Gulf of Tonkin. During this time, wind speeds are estimated to range between 75-102km per hour, with gusts reaching up to 149km per hour, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting stated on its portal.

The impact of Storm Talim will result in the northern part of the East Sea experiencing strong winds and rough waves. Wave heights are anticipated to range between 4-6 meters in this area.

As the storm intensifies to Category 14, certain provinces and cities, such as Quang Ninh, Thai Binh, and Nam Dinh, have decided to implement a sea travel ban starting from 12:00 p.m. on July 17. Haiphong City, on the other hand, intends to enforce the ban from 9:00 p.m. on the same day.

Other provinces and cities are asked to closely monitor the situation, make appropriate decisions based on the actual circumstances, and take necessary precautions.

To address the imminent threat, border control and port authorities have taken proactive measures. They have disseminated information, conducted headcounts, and provided guidance to more than 52,000 vessels carrying over 226,000 individuals. These precautions are aimed at ensuring the safety of navigation by guiding vessels away from the projected path of the storm.

Talim is anticipated to be the strongest storm to hit the northern region in recent years, prompting the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control to establish contingency plans for safety and effectiveness.

In the first scenario, in which the probability of occurrence reaches 80% and the storm sustains wind speeds of Category 12 or higher, it will change course towards the Leizhou Peninsula in China. After that, the storm may weaken by 1-2 categories but will still continue its direct path towards Haiphong City and Quang Ninh Province on July 18.

In the second scenario, whereas the storm veers inland after passing the Leizhou Peninsula, it will make landfall in the area between Haiphong and Guangxi in China. If this scenario unfolds, the impact of rain and winds on Vietnam’s mainland would be somewhat reduced, with rainfall in the northern region ranging from 250-300mm.

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