HCM City prepares storm evacuation plan for 500,000

The authorities of HCM City have built an evacuation plan in case a major storm hits the city. Local authorities have been asked to check and evacuate citizens from poor quality houses.

The authorities of HCM City have built an evacuation plan in case a major storm hits the city. Local authorities have been asked to check and evacuate citizens from poor quality houses.

   

Residents in Can Gio Island evacuated in 2017

More than 500,000 people in 24 districts will be evacuated if the city is hit by a storm with wind power of 62-88 km/h, and 506,000 people will be evacuated if there is a storm with wind power of 89-149 km/h. In both cases, District 8 will have to evacuate nearly 87,000 people.

HCM City People's Committee asked local authorities and related agencies to start the evacuation 12 or 24 hours before a storm’s forecasted landing time. About 1,000 vehicles and 7,000 police, the army, firefighters, volunteers and Red Cross workers will be sent to help in the evacuation.

Leaders of all 24 districts and the Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue will be responsible for being on site and establishing shelters while directing evacuations. Security and sanitation teams will be responsible for protecting infrastructure, public and private buildings.

HCM City People's Committee will temporarily close floating restaurants and banned ships from leaving the port. The Maritime Administration of HCM City will guide ships to shelters in accordance with the movement of the storm and tropical depressions.