Cô Tô Island evacuates residents ahead of Yagi's landfall

Residents of the island evacuating during nighttime. VNA/VNS Photo

QUẢNG NINH - To ensure the safety of residents before super Typhoon Yagi makes landfall, Cô Tô Island District in Quảng Ninh Province has actively relocated families living in deteriorating homes to safe locations.

In Đồng Tiến Commune, 192 residents have been evacuated to avoid the storm. The relocation of these households to secure, centralised shelters began at 3pm on September 6. As part of the safety plan, the local authorities arranged for families living in degraded houses, homes with tin roofs, or newly constructed tile-roofed houses (built from 1997) that are at risk of having their roofs blown off or collapsing to be moved to guesthouses and hotels. Some households were relocated to stay with relatives.

The standing members of the District Party Committee, the People's Committee of various communes and towns have assigned officials to be on duty at evacuation points, overseeing the centralised shelters. They also tasked local leaders, officials, and armed forces with responsibility for individual villages and hamlets. Additionally, village and neighbourhood leaders were directed to continue inspecting households, identifying residents living in level-four houses (those with tile, tin, or asbestos roofs), and strictly enforce the relocation of one hundred per cent of these residents to sturdy, safe homes.

Currently, almost 800 people across Cô Tô Island District have been relocated to safe shelters with ensured living conditions.

Forecasts indicate that the year's third storm could intensify into a super typhoon when it makes landfall in Cô Tô, potentially causing severe damage and catastrophic consequences.

Given the complexity of the situation, Cô Tô District has mobilised all available resources to proactively implement response plans, without complacency or neglect. Preparations are in line with the "four on-the-spot" principle to avoid any unexpected setbacks.

The Command Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue, and Civil Defence of Cô Tô District held an emergency meeting to deploy storm response measures. The People's Committees of communes, towns, and armed forces units continue to closely monitor the storm’s developments, strictly manage fishing vessels seeking shelter in Cô Tô, and remain ready with rescue teams and equipment for immediate deployment when needed.

On Friday, armed forces were mobilised to help residents reinforce their homes, secure roofs, and protect property before the storm arrived. Strict shifts were maintained, ensuring communication systems and emergency vehicles were ready for search and rescue missions.

To protect the safety of its residents, Cô Tô District will issue a curfew order at the local level, with the curfew taking effect from 8pm on Friday, until the storm subsides.

To keep residents informed and updated on the progress of Typhoon Yagi, the Cô Tô District Communication and Cultural Centre has increased broadcasting times, with storm updates airing every 30 minutes. Mobile public announcements are also being carried out in villages and neighbourhoods across the district.

As of now, local authorities and armed forces stationed throughout Quảng Ninh Province have deployed 2,663 officers and disaster prevention forces, along with 68 vehicles, 18 boats, 59 canoes, and 6 special vehicles. All are on standby in assigned areas, ready for action when required. Supplies for disaster prevention, including 64,290sq.m of wave-proof fabric, 13,828cu.m of quarry stones, 240,883 sandbags, 3,608 steel cages, 4,961kg of wire, and 5,550sq.m of filter cloth, have been secured in warehouses and placed at vulnerable spots along dykes.