CENTRAL COMMITTEE FOR FLOOD AND STORM CONTROL

No. 347BC/PCLBTW

FLASH REPORT

Issued at 8:00 am, 14^th November 2006

On the preparedness with the typhoon No. 8 and floods in the coming time

I. Situation of the typhoon No. 8 (CHEBI)

The typhoon center was at 16.7⁰N latitude, 111.8⁰E longitude, approximately 430 km away from Quang Ngai to Thua Thien Hue coasts in the Southeast at 4:00 am 14^th November 2006. The strongest wind force at the typhoon center was at Beaufort scale 8, gusting above 8.

As forecasted, the typhoon No. 8 would move to the West and Southwest West within next 24 to 48 hours, with its speed of 10 km per hour and then may weaken to tropical low pressure.

In addition, there is a part of the cool air moving to the South. Due to impacts of the cool air and typhoon circulation, the wind would be at Beaufort Scale 6, 7 in Gulf of the North and areas offshore of the Central - North Part in this afternoon and evening.  

2. Preparedness with typhoon No.8

2.1. Central level

- The Standing Vice Prime Minister, Mr. Nguyen Sinh Hung regularly chairs shifting meetings with Ministries, sectors, and CCFSC members every morning. On 13^th November 2006, The Prime Minister sent the Telegraph No. 1854/ CĐ – TTg to relevant Ministries, sectors and People’s Committees of provinces/cities to direct the response to the Typhoon No. 8.

CCFSC sent two Missions to localities to control response to the typhoon. The first Mission to Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam was led by Minister- CCFSC chairman. The Mission also worked with Thua Thien Hue Authorities on 13^th November. All ships and boats of Thua Thien Hue returned to shelters. The Second Mission led by Deputy Minister of Fisheries was present in Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh to direct the storm response.

A meeting with relevant ministries/sectors was held in the afternoon of the 13^th November 2006 by CCFSC to assess the implementation of typhoon preparedness. The telegraph No.86 was sent to CFSC and Committees for Search & Rescue of provinces and appropriate ministries/sectors by CCSCS and National Committee for Search & Rescue. The telegraph focused on provinces from NGhe An to Quang Ninh with the direction as follows:

-  Boats would be prohibited to sail since 14^th November 2006

-  Prevention and response measures to the Chebi typhoon and tropical depression should be prepared proactively.

The Ministry of Fisheries sent the urgent telegraph No. 32/TS-PCLB and another No. 33/TS-PCLB to the coastal provinces/cities’ chairmen to guide and localize fishing for boats; besides, request provincial People’s Committee (PPC) to direct local relevant agencies controlling boats offshore in order to timely cope with contingences. The Ministry of Fisheries also asked PPC to direct the provincial Border guard, Department of Fisheries and People’s Committees of coastal communes/cities closely monitoring boats near shore and being ready for calling on them back to the shore if necessary.

The Headquarter of Border Guard had the telegraphs No. 193 and No. 194 to the coastal provinces’ border guard from Quang Ninh to Kien Giang on 13:00 and 17:40 pm 13^th November 2006, in which the Headquarter directed these provinces

-         Continue to monitor the typhoon’s movement, be ready for human resources and facilities to respond to contingencies;

-         Communicate with fishing boats for avoiding waters of 14⁰-19⁰ latitude.

-          The units from Quang Nam to Ha Tinh should reinforce houses and works, move all vehicles anchoring at piers and actuaries spreading down in to the continent and anchorages, call upon people in watch-towers to shelters in case of floods or typhoon’s direction change.

-         Mobilize 6,321 soldiers, 392 boats and vans of 402 posts, navy groups and headquarters to be on duty during 24 hours in case of typhoon landing.

-         Continue to let off signal fire at 57 points of actuaries, near shore islands

-         Use Icom transceivers to communicate with boats and ships offshore

2. Local level

Followed by the Prime Minister’s telegraph, provincial Authorities had following telegraphs to direct preparedness with typhoon No. 8:

-         PPCs, CFSCs of Thai  Binh, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and Ba Ria Vung Tau provinces had telegraphs to request coastal districts’ People’s Committees, Departments, the provincial Army Headquarter and Border Guard’s Headquarter as well as Public Security to communicate with and provide guidance to boats offshore for avoiding dangerous areas and finding safe shelters; prohibit them to sail in the morning of 13^th and 14^th November 14, 2006; confirm prevention and response alternatives to typhoon and flood in localities; assign their officials to be on duty during 24 hours and continuously report as regulated

-         CFSCs and Search & Rescue of provinces from Quang Binh to Long An also made flash reports on implementation of typhoon prevention and sent them to PPCs and CCFSC.

III. Results

As of 06:00 am 14^th November 2006, 29,805 boats and ships with total of 171,485 fishermen were communicated for the location and direction of typhoon.

IV. Comments

-         Although the typhoon has weakened, it may endanger boats and ships in waters of the Central part and North Guff.

-         Beware of typhoon impacts on the mainland, particularly the coastal region

-         Localities, especially the Central provinces should follow the Central direction

-         Fishermen awareness of preparedness and prevention from the typhoon is improved significantly compared with the previous typhoon

-         VTV, VOV and mass media actively engaged in communication for forecasts and telegraphs by the Prime Minister, CCFSC and Search & Rescue as well as ministries and sectors, which contributed significantly to effective prevention.

IV. Follow up actions

-         Continue to call on boats and ships in the North Guff to shelters because this area is being impacted by typhoon and the tropical depression.

-         Localize from 15⁰ longitude to facilitate fishermen to fish safely.

-         Assign the officials to be on duty to monitor typhoon’s movement to respond to it actively.

(Note: This report was translated by NDMP Secretariat)