In response to the complex developments of Typhoon Wipha (Storm No. 3), Ninh Binh Province has urgently ordered vessels to return to safe harbors and take immediate measures to reinforce and secure them. Meanwhile, Thanh Hoa Province has announced a ban on all sea operations starting from 8:00 AM on July 21.

In Ninh Binh: On the afternoon of July 20, Deputy Chairman of the Ninh Binh People's Committee, Tran Anh Dung, stated that the province had issued an emergency directive on preparedness for Storm No. 3 and potential flooding.

Accordingly, the provincial government requested departments, agencies, organizations, local authorities, and members of the Provincial Civil Defense Command to promptly and comprehensively implement safety measures.

As of 7:00 AM on July 21, all vessels are strictly prohibited from going out to sea. By noon the same day, all boats must be fully docked and secured.

From 5:00 PM on July 21, all ferry services across the province will be suspended until the storm has passed. Evacuation plans are being executed for people living and working in river mouths, coastal areas, and other high-risk zones, with relocations to safe shelters required before noon on July 21.

According to the Ninh Binh Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance Department, the province has 1,861 fishing vessels with 5,724 workers operating at sea. By 4:00 PM on July 20, 1,795 boats had safely returned to shore, with the remainder still en route.

At Ninh Co Port, storm preparation activities were taking place with great urgency. Many fishermen were proactively bringing their boats ashore, inspecting anchors, and securing vessels with large ropes.

Local authorities were actively assisting fishermen with organizing gear and securing their boats. Nguyen Thanh Chung, Director of the Nam Dinh Fish Port Management Board, said Ninh Co Port has two anchor bays accommodating about 200 vessels. As of 6:00 PM on July 20, 104 boats had docked at Ninh Co, 149 at Ha Lan storm shelter, and 195 at Quan Vinh.

“Given the storm’s complexity, we’ve deployed 100% of personnel to be on duty around the clock,” Mr. Chung emphasized.

In Thanh Hoa: The Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue, and Civil Defense has issued Directive No. 05, ordering a full sea ban effective from 8:00 AM on July 21.

The directive requires leaders of coastal communes and towns, fisheries agencies, and related units to enforce the ban across the province until the storm no longer poses a threat.

Authorities are instructed to strictly monitor compliance, preventing all vessels from heading out to sea to avoid risks to life and property. Coastal localities must organize, guide, and manage vessels at anchor, ensuring they are safely secured according to regulations. Boats must not be operated while docked, and no one is permitted to stay aboard during the storm.

In a related development, on July 20, the Standing Committee of the 18th Thanh Hoa Provincial People’s Council (2021–2026) held its 38th session to discuss the agenda for the upcoming 31st session.

The council meeting was originally scheduled to begin at 8:00 AM on July 21 and span two days (July 21–22). However, due to the severe weather conditions and to prioritize storm response efforts, the session duration has been shortened.

Trong Tung - Le Duong