Northern, north-central Vietnam localities brace for super typhoon Ragasa

Coastal provinces and cities in Vietnam are racing against time to prepare for super typhoon Ragasa, the ninth storm to hit the East Sea, internationally known as the South China Sea, this year.

Authorities are calling on residents, farmers, and businesses to act swiftly as the northern region braces for potentially devastating weather.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the typhoon is expected to make landfall over the coastal waters of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong by 1 p.m. on Thursday with intensity of level 9-10, gusting to level 12.

The typhoon is projected to unleash destructive weather across the northern region and the north-central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An between Wednesday night and Friday.

During a meeting with local authorities of affected provinces and cities on Tuesday afternoon, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha urged localities to urgently harvest aquatic products that are ready for exploitation to minimize losses, while ensuring absolute safety for fishermen.

Emphasizing that reservoir safety must be ensured, with top priority given to hydropower dams, the Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to work closely with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which manages most hydropower reservoirs, as well as meteorological forecasting units, to operate and control water levels, provide accurate forecasts, and implement timely solutions.

Although the typhoon has been downgraded, it is forecast to carry the risks of whirlwinds, heavy rain, and hazards. Meteorological agencies must strengthen forecasting with visuals and easy-to-understand warning information so that people can clearly grasp the situation and take proactive preventive measures, he said.

Noting that a tropical depression or another typhoon may form after typhoon Ragasa, Ha ordered ministries, sectors, and localities to immediately prepare subsequent response plans.

On Tuesday, the northern city of Hai Phong convened an urgent meeting to coordinate storm preparations. Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, Tran Van Quan, said Ragasa is a 'super typhoon of extreme intensity, moving at high speed and posing unpredictable risks.' He urged the city’s political system to operate at maximum vigilance, prioritizing the protection of human life and property.

Authorities were ordered to review existing disaster-response plans, particularly relocation of residents from vulnerable coastal zones, low-lying areas, and dilapidated housing blocks. Evacuations must be carried out 'carefully and safely,' with provisions for temporary accommodation ensuring basic living conditions, Quan said.

Maritime authorities have tightened monitoring of fishing vessels, floating cages, and tourist activities, demanding a complete withdrawal from danger zones. Key sectors of electricity, telecommunications, transport, and health have been tasked with maintaining uninterrupted services, readying emergency supplies, and ensuring round-the-clock coordination.

By 9 a.m. on Tuesday, the city’s Department of Agriculture and Environment reported that 1,604 fishing vessels with 4,481 crew members, 271 fish cages with 233 workers, and three offshore watch huts had been accounted for, with most having returned to safe harbors and no cases of lost contact.

Meanwhile, nearly 800 kilometres of dykes are under review, including 75 critical points. Flood drainage companies have placed pumps and equipment on standby while urging farmers to accelerate the harvest of rice, vegetables, and aquaculture products.

The city’s Department of Construction has prepared plans to relocate almost 3,000 households from 79 severely degraded apartment blocks, with temporary shelter to be provided in schools and community halls. Coastal communes are also planning the evacuation of nearly 500 households, while tourist facilities in Cat Hai and Do Son have been instructed to safeguard visitors.

In the central coastal province of Ha Tinh, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Hong Linh issued a directive suspending all non-essential meetings from Wednesday to free up resources for storm response. Local leaders were told they would be held directly accountable for any loss of life due to negligence.

Border guards, the military, port authorities and coastal districts have moved quickly to verify all vessels at sea. Fishermen are being kept updated on the typhoon’s track and guided to safe shelters, with authorities warning that a ban on going to sea will be imposed if necessary.

Rescue forces are on high alert for worst-case scenarios. Plans are also in place to help residents reinforce homes, harvest crops, and protect livestock and aquaculture facilities.

Public infrastructure, particularly dykes, reservoirs, warehouses and power lines, is being strengthened and tourist beaches and resorts will be strictly closed when the typhoon makes landfall.

Dykes, national power grid protection

In a related move, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has instructed northern and north-central provinces to step up protection of critical dyke systems.

Local governments are required to patrol sea and river dykes in line with regulations, detect and repair weaknesses promptly, and prepare personnel and equipment for emergencies.

Particular attention is being given to vulnerable coastal dykes in Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh. Authorities must ensure that unfinished construction sites and previously damaged sections are secured ahead of the typhoon.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has directed hospitals and clinics across the north and north-central regions to prepare for medical emergencies.

Facilities must maintain round-the-clock emergency cover, stockpile essential medicines and safeguard patients and staff in flood-prone areas.

In addition, environmental sanitation, clean water supplies, and food safety measures are to be strengthened both during and after the storm.

The Ministry of Science and Technology has ordered telecoms companies to activate contingency plans to maintain communications, including network roaming within 30 minutes of service disruptions.

Mining sites, hydropower reservoirs and downstream communities will receive intensified monitoring and information.

Maritime broadcasting services are working with the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting to issue storm alerts and instruct vessels to leave danger zones.

The National Load Dispatch Centre (NSMO) has prepared multiple scenarios to safeguard the national power system. Deputy general director Vu Xuan Khu said flexible operation plans have been activated to minimize disruption and ensure rapid recovery after the storm.

Measures include reducing transmission loads in high-risk regions, coordinating with hydropower plants to balance safety with downstream flood control, and maintaining constant communication between control centres, transmission companies, and power plants.

Special attention will be given to restoring electricity for essential services in disaster response once the storm passes.

Meteorological warnings

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, by 1 p.m. on Tuesday super typhoon Ragasa had maximum sustained winds of 184-221 km/h, with gusts exceeding that level, and is moving west-northwest at about 20 km/h.

From Wednesday, gales of up to force 14 are expected in the northern part of the East Sea, with waves rising above 10 meters. By Wednesday evening, the Gulf of Tonkin will face storm-force winds of up to force 12 and waves of four to six metres.

Onshore, winds will strengthen in Quang Ninh to Thanh Hoa provinces from Thursday morning, reaching force 10 in some areas, with the wider northeast also experiencing strong gusts. Rainfall of 100-250 millimeters is forecast across the northern region, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces, with some localities exceeding 400 millimeters. Authorities warn of widespread flooding, flash floods, and landslides.

Meteorologists also caution of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and violent squalls both before and during the typhoon’s landfall.