The island district of Cat Hai in Hai Phong Province, less than 200 kilometres away from the capital city of Hanoi, is bracing for Tropical Storm Conson.
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| Dinh Vu ferry has not run since July 16. A sign board was put up to inform the halt of service due to the storm. |
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| Le Van Hien (left) and DTiNews\' reporter on the way to Cat Hai Island |
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| Storm development announced over loud speaker |
The island district is predicted to be at the centre of the powerful storm, which is forecast to make a final landfall in northern Vietnam on Sunday afternoon, after roaring into China.
By early Saturday morning, Dinh Vu ferry had stopped receiving passengers, even though the weather remained calm. Dinh Vu ferry operators only had staff on hand to monitor the storm’s development.
Le Van Hien, Vice Director of the Hai Phong’s Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, came to the island to direct activities to ensure public safety.
Hien said that if Conson hits Cat Hai, the sea-level could rise by 4-5 metres and the island could be flooded by water of up to 1 metre high.
According to the evacuation plan, if the sea levels are not too high, 1,900 people will be evacuated from their homes to safe places on the island. However, if water levels are too high, the whole population will have to be taken off the island. However, at this moment the sea water isn’t yet at a dangerous level and indicates little chance for severe floods.
Five teams have been assigned to mobilise people to pack clothes, food and essential items as well as preparing to move them into safe places should the storm spiral out of control.
Lieutenant-Colonel Tran Duc Bao, Vice Director of Cat Hai Police, said that the evacuation plan of each hamlet and town was well-prepared and it started to be implemented on July 16. Residents have plenty of experience in dealing with storms so they are moving their things and buying necessary items.
In Cat Hai Town of the island where there are 6,000 residents, 800 people will be evacuated to locations such as offices of local authorities, schools or medical stations, which have been arranged in the town for their civilians.
At the headquarters of the People’s Committee of Cat Hai Town, officials are in a hurry to complete their preparations for responding to the storm. Some watch storm development, some go and buy essential items, some prepare lifebuoys, and others go to hamlets to provide new updates on the storm.
