Harbors restrict ships from sailing out due to the approaching Storm Kajiki
As Storm Kajiki, the fifth storm of the year in the East Sea, moves closer to Vietnam's mainland, authorities are taking action to protect communities and vessels in the central coastal regions.
In Quang Tri, local forces are checking residential areas at risk of flash floods and landslides. Plans are in place to relocate households if necessary. Units in Quang Tri are also deployed to help fishermen secure their boats at anchorages and guide families in reinforcing vessels against collisions during the storm.
Quang Tri has 8,725 registered vessels with nearly 24,200 workers, and 634 boats with 2,860 crew members were still operating offshore as of early August 23. All fishing boats and transport vessels in Quang Tri have been ordered to stay ashore from 7am on August 24 until the storm passes.
In neighbouring Quang Ngai, authorities have ordered a halt to passenger ferries between Sa Ky and Ly Son Island once winds reach level 6. All vessels, including fishing boats and transport ships, are banned from sailing from 5am on August 24 in Nghe An.
The local border guard force in Nghe An has already informed more than 400 vessels with over 2,100 workers of the storm's movements, while assisting locals in securing boats and reinforcing houses. The whole province of Quang Ngai has 581 vessels with 4,771 workers operating in the sea areas and 5,841 vessels anchored at the ports. All of the above vessels have received information about the developments and movement direction of the storm.
Forecasters warned that Storm Kajiki could intensify further, reaching levels 11-12 with gusts of level 15 (167-183 km/h) when approaching the central coast between Thanh Hoa and Hue on August 25. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has asked 12 provinces and cities, including Da Nang, Quang Ngai, and Gia Lai, to urgently reinforce dykes, reservoirs, and irrigation works ahead of heavy rains and flooding.
In Hue City, local farmers are rushing to harvest their summer-autumn rice crop before the storm arrives. Authorities have ordered more than 100 offshore fishing boats to return to ports and relocated hundreds of small boats inland for safety.
The provincial Border Guard Command in Quang Tri has set up task forces with vehicles and rescue equipment ready for emergencies. Approximately 3,000 fishing boats with 13,200 workers have been accounted for, with no vessels reported in dangerous areas by the afternoon of August 23. About 500 soldiers, three ships, and 30 vehicles have been placed on standby for rescue operations.
The authorities responsible for rescue operations in Quang Tri during Storm Kajiki are the Vietnam Coast Guard, the Quang Tri Provincial Disaster Management Committee, and local emergency services.
In the mountainous districts, local forces are vigilant, checking residential areas at risk of flash floods and landslides. Officials in Quang Ngai have instructed to call back fishing boats near Hoang Sa and northern waters, urging them to either leave hazardous zones or take shelter immediately.
As Storm Kajiki approaches, the central coastal localities have ordered a ban on vessels going out to sea starting August 24. The storm is forecast to bring strong winds, heavy rains, and rough seas from Thanh Hoa to Hue.
