Super typhoon Yagi brought strong winds and torrential rains as it made landfall in northern Vietnam. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered authorities to prioritize immediate response measures to protect people's lives and property.

Path of Typhoon Yagi. Photo: The NCHMF

With maximum winds near its eye of 14 and gusts up to 17, the typhoon has battered Vietnam's northern provinces, including Hanoi, with strong winds and heavy rain, with rainfall ranging from 100 to 350 mm, and over 500 mm in some areas.

According to the NCHMF, rainfall in Hanoi reached up to 60 mm from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm. Heavy downpours were recorded in some districts of Hanoi from Saturday afternoon. Until the morning of September 8, the capital would record downpours in both downtown and suburban areas, with rainfall reaching up to 400 mm in some parts of the city.

Trees toppled by strong winds in Hanoi. Photo: Khanh Huy/The Hanoi Times

To mitigate the increased risk of urban flooding, landslides and flash floods in the midland and mountainous regions, the Prime Minister has instructed ministries and local governments to continue to focus on ensuring people's safety and protecting public property.

The chairpersons of the People's Committees in the affected areas are requested to closely monitor the situation. The deputy prime ministers will directly supervise and guide relevant ministries, sectors and local governments in implementing the the PM's directive on typhoon response measures, according to their areas of responsibility.

The Government Office will monitor reports from ministries, sectors and localities in a timely manner and ensure that any urgent or emerging issues are promptly communicated to the Prime Minister.

 Deputy PM inspects storm preparations  

Ha also held working meetings with relevant authorities and gave instructions over the phone to surveillance forces on Bach Long Vi Island as the storm raged through Haiphong city and Quang Ninh province in the north.

Strong wind and raining on Bach Long Vi Island on September 7. Photo: VNA

The Deputy Prime Minister said forecasts and warnings need to be issued more quickly and frequently, with a particular focus on the most dangerous period when the storm makes landfall.

The official asked island districts to draw up plans to protect sea dikes, and urged the midland, mountainous and Red River Delta provinces and cities to prepare for flooding and landslides as prolonged heavy rains are expected to follow the storm.

Ha also urged the storm prevention forces to keep in touch with the areas directly hit by Yagi and the densely populated areas, and the ministries and agencies to step up their vigilance to ensure the safety of people and property.

Deputy Prime Minister Ha will lead a working team to the port city of Haiphong to inspect storm prevention and control. In addition to the military, which has been working around the clock, others such as the coast guard have also been deployed to assist in storm prevention and control efforts.

Strong winds blow off the roof of the Thuong Dinh shoe factory in Hanoi's Thanh Xuan district on the afternoon of September 7. Source: Facebook user