The General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army issued an urgent directive on August 17, calling for preparations in northern Vietnam and areas from Thanh Hoa to northern Quang Tri.
The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said widespread moderate to heavy rain was expected from the night of August 17 through August 21, with totals of 150-300 mm and more than 450 mm in some areas.
A low-pressure area could also form along the tropical convergence zone and strengthen into a tropical depression, with a probability of around 60-70 per cent, bringing adverse weather to the East Sea and Gulf of Tonkin.
The heavy rain could inundate low-lying areas, cities and industrial parks and trigger flash floods along small rivers and streams and landslides on steep slopes.
The General Staff ordered units to maintain 24-hour civil defence duty, closely monitor weather conditions, review response plans and keep personnel and equipment ready for emergencies.
Military Regions 1, 2, 3 and 4 were instructed to work with local authorities to identify areas at high risk of flash floods, landslides, flooding and isolation, as well as vulnerable dykes, embankments, reservoirs and dams.
Military personnel and equipment must be pre-positioned in high-risk areas, particularly those vulnerable to flooding or isolation, to support residents, disaster recovery and search-and-rescue operations.
The Navy and Coast Guard were told to prepare for search-and-rescue operations at sea and around islands, while border guards were instructed to coordinate with local authorities on emergency response.
Army Corps 12 and other military units must review contingency plans, protect barracks and warehouses and be ready to deploy personnel and equipment to assist affected communities.
The Air Defence-Air Force and Corps 18 were instructed to prepare aircraft, personnel and equipment for aerial search-and-rescue missions when ordered.
Communications units and the Military Industry-Telecoms Group were told to ensure communications in affected areas and prepare measures to restore telecoms services if disrupted by disasters.
Logistics, technical and defence industry units must also prepare rescue equipment and supplies for rapid deployment to affected areas.
The General Staff ordered all units to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment involved in operations and provide timely reports to the Ministry of National Defence.
