According to the directive, Storm No. 3 is currently active in the northern East Sea with extremely strong intensity (level 12, gusting to level 15). It is a powerful and fast-moving storm.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting predicts that the storm will impact northern and north-central Vietnam starting the evening of July 21, bringing strong winds and heavy rain.

There is a high risk of flash floods, landslides in mountainous and midland areas, and flooding in low-lying and urban areas.

Following Directive No. 112 issued on July 19, the Prime Minister has asked the Ministers of National Defense, Public Security, Agriculture and Environment, as well as related ministries, agencies, and affected localities, to continue actively directing and promptly implementing storm and flood response measures.

These actions must follow the guidance of Directive No. 112 with the highest level of urgency and determination to ensure the safety of people and property, and to minimize potential damages.

Guiding vessels away from danger and into safe harbors

Provincial and municipal chairpersons are to focus on ensuring safety for maritime and island activities. They must issue warnings and guide vessels, including fishing boats, cargo ships, and tourist boats, to exit dangerous areas or find safe shelter.

Safety must be ensured at anchorage zones, and under no circumstances should people remain on board when the storm makes landfall.

Authorities must review and implement safety measures for tourism, aquaculture in coastal and estuarine areas, and along shorelines. Residents must be evacuated from floating fish farms and guard huts before and during the storm.

Depending on the specific situation, local leaders may decide to ban sea travel for fishing vessels, cargo ships, and tourist boats.

At the same time, provincial and municipal leaders must ensure the safety of coastal and inland areas. They are to review residential zones and evacuate people from structurally weak houses or areas at high risk of landslides, flash floods, and deep flooding.

They must prepare personnel, equipment, supplies, and essential items following the "four-on-the-spot" principle to be ready for any scenario. Infrastructure such as factories and communication and power systems must be reinforced and protected. Swift action is required to fix any damage and maintain operations before, during, and after the storm.

Travel should be regulated, with traffic rerouted, and the public advised to stay off the roads during the storm and associated thunderstorms.

Measures must be in place to control and guide traffic in deeply flooded areas, fast-flowing water crossings, and roads prone to landslides or other hazards. Teams and materials must be on standby to promptly restore connectivity on major routes.

Ensuring the safety of dikes, reservoirs, and agriculture

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is tasked with monitoring, forecasting, and promptly providing accurate information to relevant agencies to support storm response efforts.

It must also coordinate with localities to respond appropriately to storm, rain, and flood developments, including landslides.

The ministry will oversee safety measures for dikes, irrigation reservoirs, and agricultural production.

Ministries and agencies, within their respective jurisdictions and assignments, must form task forces to support localities in responding to the storm and associated flooding.

These include the Ministry of National Defense in Quang Ninh, the Ministry of Public Security in Hai Phong, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in Ninh Binh, the Ministry of Construction in Hung Yen, and the Ministry of Science and Technology in Thanh Hoa.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has assigned Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to directly monitor and oversee the implementation of this directive by ministries, agencies, and localities.

Ngan Anh