DPM inspects storm response in Bac Lieu

Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung (center) inspects response to the upcoming 16th tropical storm called Tembin, Bac Lieu, December 25, 2017 - Photo: VGP/Xuan Tuyen

Deputy PM Dung tasked the local authorities to evacuate people from vulnerable areas to safer place. 

Mr. Dung inspected preparatory actions at Bac Lieu wind power plant and Nha Mat tourism site. 

Earlier, the local authorities of Bac Lieu convened an urgent meeting with local departments and sectors to brace for the powerful typhoon. 

As of 10 a.m., 382,000 residents were evacuated. The evacuation campaign was finished by mid noon.

Statistics showed that 15 out of 19 provinces and cities had plans to evacuate over 1.1 million people. 

Earlier, in the early morning of December 25, Deputy PM Dung led the working group to investigate the preparatory work in Soc Trang province. 

The Government leader suggested competent agencies to call on vessels to seek shelters and evacuate local residents to safe places. 

He also noticed the importance of safeguarding lives and properties for people and supporting them to stabilize production.  

As of 5 a.m. Monday, typhoon Tembin was 330km (105 miles) east of Con Dao Island, with wind speeds at 135kph (84mph). 

The typhoon is approaching southern Viet Nam at a speed of 25kph, and is forecast to hit provinces from Ba Ria - Vung Tau to Ca Mau carrying winds of around 100kph late on the night of December 25. 

After making landfall, the typhoon is forecast to move west at a speed of 20-25kph. By 4 p.m. on December 26, Tembin will be 100km west of Tho Chu (Kien Giang province), with maximum wind speeds of 75kph. Afterwards, it will weaken into a tropical depression over the Gulf of Thailand. 

Heavy downpours are forecast for coastal areas south of Quang Ngai province for Monday and Tuesday, with the Mekong Delta experiencing up to 150mm of rain./.

By Kim Loan