Viet Nam – Typhoon Nesat (No.5), Tropical Storm Nalgae (No.6) and Mekong Delta Floods Situation Report No

Viet Nam – Typhoon Nesat (No.5), tropical storm Nalgae (No.6) and Mekong Delta floods Situation Report No. 4 October 3, 2011 – 6pm (Viet Nam time)

The next report will be issued on Wednesday5thOctober 2011

I. Summary

 In the evening on Friday 30th September, after moving over Ha Noi, typhoon Nesat (No.5) gradually weakened into a low pressure zone before dissipating entirely over Yen Bai province.  The typhoon did not cause any casualties but damaged houses, rice paddies and other infrastructure. Quảng Ninh and Hải Phòng were the most affected provinces.  Typhoon Nalgae (No.6) is currently located 170km North-East of the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) Islands and moving westwards. At 4pm on 5thOctober, the typhoon will be located 130km east of the coastline of Nghệ An - Quảng Flooding in An Phú district, An Giang province Bình with a wind strength of 75 to 88 km/h. Source: UNICEF initial assessment report, 02/10  Although the typhoon will weaken, it will likely bring a large amount of rain to provinces in North-Central Viet Nam, particularly Nghe An and Quang Binh.  This weekend, the Mekong floods have reached their peak level, but are only very slowly receding. Flood levels will remain above Alert Level 3 for the coming days.  An Giang and Đồng Tháp are the most affected provinces. So far 11 people have died, more than20,463 houses are flooded and 99,000ha of rice is atrisk of flooding.  On 30 October, the Prime Minister has issued Decision 1711/QD-TTg to release 170 billion VND (around 8.2 million USD) to the provinces for flood response. The various Red Cross provincial agencies have also provided assistance.

II. Situation Overview

 Over a period of 3 days (from 7pm 28/09 until 7pm 01/10), the average rainfall due to typhoon Nesat (No.5) was 100 to 200mm in provinces Hà Tĩnhand Quảng Bình, and 30 to 80mm in all affected Northern provinces. Above average rainfallwas measured in Quảng Bình, with Đồng Hới as the highest (365mm).  Due to typhoon Nesat, over fourteen schools in Minh Hoa district in Quang Binh province have been damaged and/or flooded (Source: unconfirmed media reporting by VNExpress)

 Over the weekend, flood water levels in the Mekong Deltareached their peak level and are currently going down very slowlybut will remain at a high level (above Alert Level 3) over the coming days.Downstream Provinces in the Mekong Delta will likely be affected by increased flooding in the coming days. o An Giang province is currently the most affected province with An Phú and Tân Châu districts the most affected. 1,604 households in An Phú district require food assistance, 847 households require livelihood support and 3,590 households are currently relying mostly on fishing as livelihood alternative. o Schools in An Giang are still open. o Based on an initial assessment of UNICEF on the 1st October, the following were identifiedas the main issues in An Giang: access to safe water for drinking and cooking; sanitation and risk of diseases, such asmalaria, hand, foot and mouth disease; child education and protection in day care and other centers with limited or no learning/technical facilities, books and learning materials; lack of lifevests for children; and delayed food support for all affected poor households. o Schools in high flood areas in Đồng Tháp will be closed until mid-October, for a period of ten to fifteen days. All efforts will be undertaken to ensure sufficient schooling as soon as possible.

III. Damage

According to CCFSC report, 3rd October, 8am: Damage from Mekong Floods:  People killed: 11 (An Giang: 4; Đồng Tháp: 3; Long An: 3; Cần Thơ: 1)  Of which children: 5 (An Giang: 2; Đồng Tháp: 1; Long An: 2)  Houses flooded: 20,463 (An Giang: 14,176; Đồng Tháp: 5,963; Cần Thơ: 324)  Rice paddies totally destroyed: 4,993ha (An Giang: 3,833; Đồng Tháp: 1,060; Long An: 50)  Rice fields flooded: 166ha (An Giang and Cần Thơ)  Rice fields at risk of flooding: 99,000ha  Other crops totally destroyed: 186ha  Fish farming ponds flooded: 1,141ha (An Giang: 577; Đồng Tháp: 564)

Damage from Typhoon Nesat (No.5):  People killed: No casualties  People injured: 5 (due to whirlwind in Quang Tri)  Houses flooded: 3,226  Houses collapsed: 6  Rice paddies flooded: 12,338ha (Quảng Ninh: 1,669; Hải Phòng: 9,949: Yen Bai: 15: QuảngBình: 755)  Other crops flooded: 1,316ha (Hải Phòng 207: QuảngBình: 1,110)  Boats or ships sunk: 11 (Quảng Ninh)

IV. National Response

 The Prime Minister has issued Decision 1711/QD-TTg to release 170 billion VND (around 8.2 million USD) to respond to the Mekong floods: An Giang 60billion VND, Đồng Tháp25billion VND, Kien Giang 20billion VND, Tien Giang 15billion VND, Hau Giang 15billion VND, Long An 10billion VND, Vinh Long 10billion VND, and Cần Thơ 15billion VND.  As at 6am on the 3rd October, reports from the Ministry of Defense suggested that 33,325 ships and boats (about 153.788 workers) have received storm warnings about typhoon Nalgae (No.6) and are directed to safer zones.  The Ministry of Health has provided further relief support for following provinces: o Lang Son, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Son La, Phu Tho, Hoa Binh: 100 life vests, 20 medical stocks, and 200,000 cloramine B tabs each province o Thanh Hoa: 100 life vests, 20 medical stocks, and 200,000 chloramine B tabs o Nghe An and Ha Tinh: 200 lifevests, 30 medical stocks, and 300,000 chloramine B tabs each province.  So far, in An Giang, more than 46,173 people have been mobilised to assist with the reinforcement of 460km of dike and dam, for an estimated total cost of 130 billion VND.  An Giang provincial CFSC is providing updated information about the floodsthrough a temporary website: https://sites.google.com/site/pclbag  The VNRC has deployed a water treatment unit to Quang Binh province to provide clean water to flooded districts in the coming ten days and 1,000 boxes of 100,000 tablets. It is also re-allocating 3,000 househould kits to Da Nang for preparedness and potential response to typhoon Nalgai. It has activitated the National Disaster Response Team in case required.  The An Giang Red Cross contributed to 392 community-based First Aid and search and rescue stations, through the provision of 2,112 staff and volunteers, 5 boats and 900kg of rice. They also provided 35 life- buyos, 70 lifevests, 19 plastic sheets (4x10meters) for evacuees, 6 blankets and 500kg of rice for the most needed displaced households. Red Cross volunteers have also helped in bringing more than 2,262 children to 27 schools and 1,012 babies to 38 kindergartens.  The VNRC is also supporting Kien Giang and Long An with 50 million VND for emergency relief and equipment for emergency response. Both provinces will also receive 10,000 boxes of aquatabs (1 million tablets). In terms of preparedness, the VNRC is procuring 5,000 household kits for replenishment and 5 tons of dry foods for potential response.

V. International Response

 On 1st and 2nd October,UNICEF, in cooperation with Save the Children,Oxfam and local authorities, undertook an initial data collection and assessment mission in An Giang and Đồng Tháp to gether more in- depth information on the situation. UNICEF is also providing financial support directly to An Giang and Đồng Thápas part of their Provincial Child Friendly Programme to respond to the identified needs.  On 3rdOctober, a follow-up DMWG emergency meeting was organised at the NGO Resource Center with the following main conclusions: o As damage caused by typhoon Nesat was not extensive and the Government response is sufficient; there will not be any requiremtn to send a Joint Assessment Team (JAT) to the affected provinces.

o The situation in the Mekong Floods will be closely monitored and further information will be gathered through the members’ field offices. JAT team members are on standby in case it is decided to send an assessment mission.  On 5th of October, the Education in Emergencies cluster will meet at 9am at MoET to prepare for a potential Sector Specific Rapid Assessment.  The National Institute of Nutrition, with support from UNICEF is preparing for Sector Specific Rapid Assessments to take place next week in the most affected areas by the typhoons, storm and Mekong floods.  The Nutrition Cluster and Partnership Group will hold its next meeting on 19th October at the National Institute of Nutrition.  The WASH Cluster is currently in contact with local authorities. Requests for disinfection tablets (Aqua Tabs) and other WASH supplies are currently being consolidated from An Giang, Đồng Thápand other affected provinces, and prepositioned supplies from UNICEF will be distributed from National Centre for Rural Water and Sanitation (NCERWASS) from 4thOctober.

VI. Contacts

For more information, please visitCCFSC website: http://www.ccfsc.gov.vn

For detailed weather forecasting: http://www.nchmf.gov.vn

Disaster Management Working Group: Tao Van Dang (Mr.), Programme Manager, Disaster Risk Reduction Vietnam Country Office International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 15 Thien Quang, Hanoi, Vietnam Email: [email protected]

United Nations Programme Coordination Group Natural Disasters and Emergencies (UN PCG NDE): Bui Viet Hien (Ms.), Program Analyst (Disaster Risk Management) United Nations Development Programme 25-29 Phan Boi Chau, Hanoi, Vietnam Email: [email protected]

Cluster focal points:  Health Dr. Vu Hieu, WHO [email protected]  Nutrition Roger Mathisen, UNICEF [email protected]  WASH Nguyen Thanh Hien, UNICEF [email protected]  Education Mitsue Uemura, UNICEF [email protected]  Logistics Sylvain Denarie, WHO [email protected]  Early Recovery Ian Wilderspin, UNDP [email protected]

Viet Nam –Tropical storm Haitang (No.4), typhoon Nesat (No.5), Typhoon Nalgae and Mekong Delta floods Situation Report No. 3 September 30, 2011 – 5.30pm (Viet Nam time)

The next report will be issued on Monday 3rd October 2011

I. Summary

 Typhoon Nesat (No.5) made landfall in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong province at around 1pm. It moved westwards gradually weakening into a tropical depression. It is currently located above Hanoi, with a wind strength of 50km/h.  Preparedness and evacuation have been organised extensively in the Northern provinces, especially in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong. Three official Government delegations were sent to Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and Thai Binh for direct coordination and monitoring on the spot.  After dissipating, storm Haitang (No.4) has caused no further significant damage.  Flood levels in the Mekong Delta are increasing and will peak on 2 Oct. It will remain above alert level 3 until mid- October.  Casualties and damage due to flooding in the Mekong is Source: UN OCHA, 30th Sept., 11.30am. increasing due to several breaches of dike sections, particularly in An Giang and Dong Thap. So far, 8 people have been killed, of which 5 children.  An Giang province has officially identified and communicated a list of needs.

II. Situation Overview

 Typhoon Nesat (No.5) is currently locatedabove Hanoi as a tropical depression. It will move westwards towards the North-West Mountaineous provinces but gradually weaken into a low pressure zone. There is a risk of flash floods, landslides and flooding in low-lying areas.  Due to storm Haitang (No.4), provinces Nghệ An to Thừa Thiên Huế have received an average of 150 to 180mm rain over the last three days (from 7pm 26/09 till 7pm 29/09), with exceptions up to 224mm in Hà Tĩnh.  Typhoon Nalgae is currently located East of the Northern Philippines as a category 2 typhoon. It is currently projected to head to North-Central Vietnam around the 5th of October. Close monitoring is required.

 Flood water levels in the Mekong Delta are still above alert level 3 and rising. In the coming 2 to 4 days it will reach its peak and then go downgradually. Flood water levels will decrease very slowly over the coming weeks and will remain above alert level 3 at least until mid-October.  Due to increased flood water levels, dike breaches have occurred in various Mekong Delta provinces, particularly An Giang and Dong Thap. At least 8 dike Mekong Delta Floods sections were reported broken along the Hau River in Source: Tuoi Tre News, 30th Sept. 2011. An Giang (An Phu and Cho Moi districts), and 2 For more footage: http://tuoitre.vn/Chinh-tri-Xa- hoi/458066/Dong-Thap-An-Giang-quyet-liet%C2%A0bao- sections in Dong Thap. ve-de.html  Various roads are blocked in An Giang (provincial roads in An Phu and Cho Moi district); and Dong Thap (national road No. 30 and provincial road No. 481 and 848).  All other reservoirs and hydropower infrastructure are safe and under strict monitoring.

III. Damage

According to CCFSC report, 30th September, 8am: Damage from Mekong Floods:  People killed: 8 (An Giang: 4; Đồng Tháp: 1; Long An: 2; Cần Thơ: 1)  Of which children: 5 (An Giang: 2; Đồng Tháp: 1; Long An: 2)  Houses flooded: 3,795 houses (Đồng Tháp: 3,471; Cần Thơ: 324)  Households relocated: 131 hh (Đồng Tháp: 131)  Rice and other crops flooded: 1,050ha (An Giang: 100ha; Đồng Tháp: 700ha; Long An: 250ha)  Rice and other crops at risk of flooding: 95,500ha (An Giang: 66,000ha; Đồng Tháp: 20,000ha, Long An: 500ha; Can Tho: 9,000ha)  Km of provincial and rural roads flooded: 216.7km (An Giang: 88.8km; Đồng Tháp: 68.1km; Cần Thơ: 59.8km)

According to flash report by An Giang CFSC, 28th September 2011:  People killed: 3 (1 child)  Houses flooded: 2,032  Houses damaged: 627  Rice paddies flooded: 2,700ha (Cho Moi, Chau Thanh and Chau Phu district); 2,8ha An Phu  Other cash crops flooded: 100ha  Identified needs: o 1,599 houses in An Phu in need of food o 847 households in need of livelihoods assistance (tools, etc.)

o Phu Tan district requires additional facilities for 18 search and rescue centers: 90 lifevests, 90 lifebuoys, 3,600m of rope; 20 rechargeable torches; and 54 raincoats

IV. National Response

National:  The Prime Minister has sent urgent telegraphs to Quảng Ninh to Phú Yên provinces to urge them to take the necessary preparedness measuresin anticipation of typhoon Nesat (No.5).  As at 6am 30/09, reports from the Ministry of Defense suggested that 39,917 ships and boats (about 179.679 workers) have received storm warning and are directed to safer zones. More than 28,866 ships and boats (about 111,557 workers) from Quảng Ninh to Quảng Bình provinces are anchored safely.  Three official Government delegations were sent to Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and Thai Binh provinces for direct coordination and guidance on the spotin terms of safe anchorage for ships, evacuation and relocation plans of high risk population, inspection of at risk infrastructure, etc.  According to the MoH flash report on 29 Sept. 2011,at 3:30pm, the Ministry of Health has provided the following support to DoH in various provinces: o Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa: 100 lifevests, 20 medical units and 200,000 tablets of Cloramin B/province o Nghe An, Ha Tinh: 200 lifevests, 30 medical units and 300,000 tablets of Cloramin B/province o An Giang, Dong Thap, Long An: 100 lifevests, 20 medical units and 200,000 tablets of Cloramin B/province

Sub-national:  All potentially affected provinces have carried out urgent evacuation of people to safe areas  More than 2000 military officers and 8000 volunteers have been mobilised in An Giang and Dong Thap provinces to protect the dike system and prevent futher breaches.  Around 254km out of 380km of dike has been strengthened in An Giang province with an estimated cost of 46 billion VND.  Education measures: o Schools have been closed on 30th September in Quảng Ninh and Hải Phòng. o In Thanh Hoá province, secondary school students have been given off two days to assist their family with rice harvesting and other measures. o In Đồng Tháp province, 87 schools (474 classes) have been closed for more than 11,705 students. o In An Giang, 38 daily childcare centers have been established for 1,012 students; and 502 sites for first aid and search and rescue were provided with additional equipments and lifevests or lifebuoys.  On 29 September, An Giang People’s Committee has officially contacted the UNICEF country office for support in terms of environmental healthcare, education and child protection.

V. International Response

 On Friday 30th September, from 2 till 5pm, the Disaster Management Working Group held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation, share detailed information from their field offices and consider possible response options: o Agencies have identified potential contributions in terms of human resources, finances and logistics if a rapid assessment was to be organised or if humanitarian aid is requested o A mapping of NGOs and their current projects can be found in the annex of the DMWG contingency plan to be downloaded here: http://www.ccfsc.gov.vn/showpublication.aspx?pcdid=363 o On Monday 3rd October, a follow-up DMWG emergency meeting will be organised from 2 till 4pm at a location tbc. The situation will be updated and a descision will be made on potential joint rapid assessments.

 On Thursday 29th September, from 10am till 12, the United Nations Programme Coordination Group on Natural Disasters and Emergencies (UN PCG NDE) discussed the situation in their monthly meeting.The group is gathering detailed information and will dessiminate regular situation reports, and are committed to contribute to rapid assessments and provide other support if required.

 UNITAR/UNOSAT has provided first sattelite imagery showing the estimated rainfall accumulation over Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia from 25thAugust till 25thSeptember 2011. The map can be downloaded on the following link: http://www.unitar.org/unosat/node/44/1589. More maps will be provided in the coming days.  UN OCHA has provided a map showing an overview of recent disasters in Viet Nam. The map can be downloaded from the CCFSC website or via http://reliefweb.int

VI. Contacts

For more information, please visitCCFSC website: http://www.ccfsc.gov.vn

For detailed weather forecasting: http://www.nchmf.gov.vn

United Nations Programme Coordination Group Natural Disasters and Emergencies (UN PCG NDE): Bui Viet Hien (Ms.), Program Analyst (Disaster Risk Management) United Nations Development Programme

25-29 Phan Boi Chau, Hanoi, Vietnam Email: [email protected]

Viet Nam - Tropical storm Haitang (No.4), Typhoon Nesat (No.5) Typhoon Nalgaeand Mekong Delta floods Situation Report No. 2 September 28, 2011 – 5pm (Viet Nam time)

The next report will be issued on the 30th of September 2011

I. Summary

th  In the morning of the 27 September, Past and projected trajectory of Storm Nesat tropicalstorm Haitaing (No.4) made Source: NCHMF 28/07, 2.309pm landfall in Quảng Bình - Quảng Trị provinces as a tropical depression. It immediately weakened into a low pressure zone before dissipating entirely the same day. The storm, however, caused 4 deaths, 4 people are reported missing, 128 houses flooded or damaged and 5,167ha of rice paddies and other crops were flooded.  Typhoon Nesat (No. 5), currently a typhoon Category 1, is located around 390km East-Northeast of the Hoàng Sa Islands and is projected to move towards Hainan Island, China. According to the latest projections, it is moving towards the Past and projected trajectory of TyphoonNesat (No.5) North-North Central Viet Nam. However, a Source: NCHMF 28/07, 2.30pm predicted cold front in the North on Sept. 30, may influence the direction of the typhoon so close tracking is required.  A new typhoon, Nalgae, has originated in the Philippine Sea and is heading west towards the Philippine Luzon Island. Close monitoring is required.  Floodlevels in the Mekong Deltaare still high and will continue rising, especially in Đồng Tháp and Long Xuyên over the coming 2-3 days. So far, the floods have made 9 casualties, of which 5 children, and caused 14,559ha of flooded rice paddies.  On 28th September, the Government has sent an Urgent Telegraph 1738/CĐ-TTgto provinces from Quảng Ninh to Phu Yen to take all preparatory measures in anticipation of typhoon Nesat (No.5).

II. Situation Overview

 During the nights of the 26th to 27th, tropical storm Haitang (No.4)caused an average rainfall of 100 to 120mm in the provinces of Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Bình, Quảng Trịand Thừa Thiên Huế, with exceptions up to

169mm in Quảng Trị. Over the last three days (from 7pm 24/09 until 7pm 27/09), the average rainfall was 150 to 180mm, with exceptions up to 338mm in Quảng Trị.  Flood water levels in all affected provinces have peaked and are now reducing, with the exception of Hà Tĩnh where flood water levels are still going up.  Typhoon Nesat(No. 5)has crossed the Northern Philippines as a Category 2 typhoon causing more than 18 deaths, with 13 injuries and 31 missing, affecting an estimated 171,570 people (Source: Philippine Government NDRRMC Situation Report No. 6, as of 6am, 28th). According to the latest projections, it is now located in the East Sea with a wind strength of 118 to 133km/hheading towards Hainan Island, China.It is projected to be located 120km off the coast of Quảng Ninh - Thái Bình at 1pm on 30/09.  A new typhoon, Nalgae, originated in the Philippine Sea and is heading West towards the Philippine Luzon Island.  Flooding in the Mekong delta: the flooding on the upstream Mekong river in Kampong Cham province, Cambodia, is decreasing, while rising quickly in the downstream Mekong river around Phnom Penh. It will cause increased flooding in the Mekong delta over the next two to three days, which will slowly decrease after.

III. Damage

From CCFSC quickreports, total damage from Storm Haitang(No.4)as of 8am, 28thSeptember:  People killed: 4 people (Quang Tri: 1; Thừa Thiên Huế: 2; Phu Yen: 1)  People missing: 4 people (Quang Tri 1; Thừa Thiên Huế: 2)  Houses flooded or damaged: 128 houses  Rice paddies and secondary crops flooded: 5,167ha  Ships and boats sunk: 1 (Đà Nẵng)  Ships damaged: 2 (Quảng Ngãi: 1; Thừa Thiên Huế; 1, without casualties)

According to CCFSC, total damage from the flood in Mekong since early August to 25thSeptember:  People killed: 9 people (5 children) (Long An: 2;Cần Thơ: 3; An Giang: 2;Đồng Tháp: 2)  Relocated houses: 466 houses, due to river flood erosion  Rice paddies flooded or swept away: 14,559ha

IV. National Response

National:  The Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control (CCFSC) continues to holdfrequent meetings to discuss the situation and provide updated information and guidance.  The Ministry of Health has sent instructions to all departmenets and units involved to prepare for storm Nesat. The Ministry has initially provided to Thanh Hoa, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, T.T.Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai: 100 lifevests, 20 medical units and 200,000 cloramin B tablets/each province; Nghe An and Ha Tinh: 200 lifevests, 30 medical units and 300,000 cloramin B tablets/province.  The Ministry of Industry and Trade has sent detailed directions on reservoir and flood gate management.

 As at 4pm27/09, reports from the Ministry of Defense suggested that 30,069 ships and boats (about 145.487 workers) have received storm warning and are directed to safer zones.  The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) is continuously monitoring the situation and sending updated information to the CCFSC and relevant agencies.  On 26thSeptember, the Vietnam Red Cross provided VND50m to An Giang and Dong Thap to purchase lifevests and lifebouys and some essential relief items for the flooded areas in the two provinces. 2,112 volunteers have been mobilised by the local Red Cross chapters to support the protection of the dike system and paddy crops and provide First Aid/security assistance in An Giang and support students transportation to schools.Similar supports are arranged by the Red Cross chapter in Dong Thap.  The media have been asked to give more frequent updates on the storm Nesat to inform people.

Sub-national:  Early harvesting of summer production is continuing in Nghệ An (42.500/96.000ha), Hà Tĩnh (22.700/41.190ha), Đồng Tháp (72,984/98.818ha), Cần Thơ(31.080/54.363ha)and Quảng Trị (12.000/23.700ha).  An Giang province has mobilized more than 11,000 people to enforce 350km of dykes and embankments.  Đồng Tháp province has mobilized 990 officers and soldiers for reinforcement of dykes against floods.

V. International Response

 The United Nations Programme Coordination Group on Natural Disasters and Emergencies (UN PCG NDE) is closely monitoring the situation and will dessiminate regular situation reports. Their monthly meeting is planned for Thursday 29th of September, from 10am till 12.  UNITAR/UNOSAT has provided first sattelite imagery showing the estimated rainfall accumulation over Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia from 25thAugust till 25thSeptember 2011. The map can be downloaded on the following link:http://www.unitar.org/unosat/node/44/1589. More maps will be provided on the 28thSeptember, late afternoon.

VI. Contacts

For more information, please visitCCFSC website: http://www.ccfsc.gov.vn

For detailed weather forecasting: http://www.nchmf.gov.vn

Bui Viet Hien (Ms.), Program Analyst (Disaster Risk Management) United Nations Development Programme 25-29 Phan Boi Chau, Hanoi, Vietnam Email: [email protected]

Viet Nam - Tropical storm Haitang (No.4), Typhoon Nesat (No.5) and Mekong Delta floods Situation Report No. 1 September 27, 2011 – 4pm (Viet Nam time)

The next report will be issued on the 28th of September 2011

I. Summary

 On the 24th September, a tropical depression in the East Sea off the Central coast of Vietnam developed into tropical storm Haitaing (No.4). It weakened again into a tropical depression making landfall inHà Tĩnh - Thừa Thiên Huế during the morning of the 27th of September. It is expected to bring medium to heavy rain in provinces Nghệ An to Quảng Nam.  At the same time, typhoon Nesat (No. 5), currently a typhoon category 2, is located in the East of the Philippine Luzon Island, and is projected to enter the East Sea in the evening of 27th September. According to the latest Past and projected trajectory of Storm Haitang and Storm Nesat projections, it is moving towards the Source: NCHMF 29/07, 9.30am North-North Central Viet Nam.  The Mekong Delta is also affected by serious flooding caused by upstream flooding in combination with periodic high tides. The river levels are expected to increase quickly until 30th September causing more flooding.  The Government is organising frequent meetings and has provided clear instructions to all potentially affected provinces to take appropriate preparedness, prevention and response measures. Field missions have gone out to the Mekong Delta and Central Viet Nam to monitor and support all actions.

II. Situation Overview

 At 4am on 27/09, tropical storm Haitang (No.4) was located close to the coastal provinces of Quảng Trị to Thừa Thiên Huế with a wind strength of level 8 to 9 (62 to 88km/h). In the next 12h, the storm will move West-Northwest at a speed of 20km/h and weaken into a tropical depression. It will make landfall and further weaken to a low pressure zone. At 4pm on 27/09, this low pressure zone will be located over Central Laos.

 The storm is causing strong winds in the East Sea and in the sea near provinces Quảng Trị to Thừa Thiên Huế. The storm is expected to cause medium to heavy rainfall in provinces Nghệ An to Quảng Nam in the morning of 27/09.  During the night of 26/09, over a period of 6 hours, provinces Hà Tĩnh to Thừa Thiên Huế had an average of 30 to 70mm rainfall with locally up to 85mm (Phú Ốc); 78mm (Bình Điền); 90mm (Thượng Nhật); 119mm (Nam Đông); 93mm (Kim Long) and 100mm (Huế).  In provinces Quảng Trị to Quảng Ngãi, average rainfall over the last 78h was 150 to 300mm with more than average in Phú Ốc (TT.Huế) 322mm; Cù Lao Chàm (Quảng Nam)391mm; Thượng Nhật (TT.Huế) 395mm; Châu Ổ (Quảng Ngãi) 334mm; Nam Đông (TT.Huế) 510mm; Trà Khúc (Quảng Ngãi) 370mm; Đà Nẵng 305mm; Sông Vệ (Quảng Ngãi) 320mm and Hội An (Quảng Nam) 319mm.  River levels are rising rapidly causing flooding in provinces Quảng Bình to Thừa Thiên Huế. Over the next 24h, river levels will continue to rise.

 At 7am on 27/09, typhoon Nesat (No. 5) was located on the East coast of Luzon island in the Northern Philippines with a wind strength of level 13 (134 to 149 km/h). In the next 24 to 48h, the typhoon will move West-Northwest at a speed of 20km/h entering the East Sea and moving towards Viet Nam. At 1am on 29/09, it is projected to be located 280km East-Northeast of the Hoàng Sa Islands with wind strengths up to level 13 and locally 14 to 15 (150 to 183 km/h).  As forcased by the national Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment (IMHEN), due to interaction with a strong cold spell predicted for North Vietnam on 30/09, Nesat may shiftitsdirection downwardsto the South part of the Northern region. The interaction will likely generate heavy rainfall in the Northern Mountainous region, Northern provinces and Thanh Hoa province.

 Flooding in the Mekong delta: the flood water in the Mekong has increasedconsistently over the past few weeks. From 22/09, the NCHMF forecasted that the flood water in the Mekong Delta would start increasing and continue to increase over the coming days in the upstream part of the Mekong River, the Long Xuyên Quadrilateral and Thap Muoi.  This year the floods have come earlier and have been stronger than usual, eroding more delta riverbanks than in previous years.  Affected provinces include An Giang, Đồng Tháp, Kiên Giang, Long An, Tiền Giang, Cần Thơ, Vĩnh Long, Hậu Giang  As reported by NCHMF as at the morning of 27/09, floodwaters in the Tien and Hau Rivers, the two main tributaries of the Mekong, are rising quickly to around or above the alert level III. Specifically, along the Tien River at Tan Chau station (Tien river): 4,70m (above warning level III: 0,20m); Chợ Mới: 3,33m (above warning level III: 0,33m), Mỹ Thuận: 1,84m (above warning level III: 0,04m), Mỹ Tho: 1,59m (near warning level III); along the Hậu River at Châu Đốc: 4,03m (above warning level III: 0,03m), Long Xuyên: 2,65m (above warning level III: 0,15m);  In the next 3 days, the water levels in the upper Mekong areas of Đồng Thap Muoi and Long Xuyên Quadrilateral might increase with a daily increment ofup to 3 to 4cm, the Southern Centre for Hydro- Meteorological Forecasting has warned. Floods are expected to start receding only from 1/10 onwards.

III. Damage

From CCFSC quickreports, as of 8am, 27th September 2011:  People killed: 1 person (male, born in 1980, at 10am 26/09 due to ship wreckage)  Ships and boats sunk: 1 (Đà Nẵng)  Ships damaged: 2 (Quảng Ngãi: 1; Thừa Thiên Huế; 1, without casualties)

According to CCFSC, total damage from the flood in Mekong since early August to 25 September:  People killed: 9 people (5 children) (Long An: 2; Can Tho: 3; An Giang: 2; Dong Thap: 2)  Relocaated houses: 466 houses, due to river flood erosion  Rice paddies flooded or swept away: 14,559ha

More updated information about the damage in the Mekong delta will be provided in the next Situation Report

IV. National Response

National:  The Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control (CCFSC) chaired by Vice Prime Minister Hoàng Trung Hải, is holding frequent meetings to discuss the situation and provide updated circulars.  The CCFSC has sent three urgent Telegraphs No. 33/CD-VPTW (10am, 27 Sept.) to minisitries, all cities and provinces in North of Vietnam and central coast provinces from Quang Binh to Binh Dinh province to prepare for the Nesat; No. 31 CD-TW (13:30pm 25 Sept.) to ministries and provinces from Nghe An to Quang Ngai and Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Daklak to prepare for the Haitang tropical storm; and No. 32/CD-TW (14:30pm on 25 Sept.) to all CFSC&SR in An Giang, Đồng Tháp, Kiên Giang, Long An, Tiền Giang, Cần Thơ, Vĩnh Long, Hậu Giang.  The CCFSC has sent missions to Vưng dam, Đông Lai commune, Tân Lạc district, Hòa Bình province to monitor the situation and ensure safety of the infrastructure and the population living in downstream areas.  On 23-24/9, Minister Cao Đức Phát has inspected the flood situation in An Giang and Đồng Tháp provinces to provide detailed directions on the flood response.  The Department of Dyke Management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is closely monitoring the safety of the dike and reservoir system.  The Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Transport and Electricity Corporation of Vietnamhave instructed their staff to take the necessary measures to cope with the storm and floods.  The Command of Border Guards is in close contact with all boats and fishermen to ensure safe harbor, and provide updated information on storm track and conditions.As at 6am27/09, reports from the Ministry of Defense suggested that 31,459 ships and boats (about 147.290 workers) have received storm warning and are directed to safer zones.  Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam and other media are regularly broadcasting the most updated information to the broader public

 The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) is continuously monitoring the situation and sending updated information to the CCFSC and relevant agencies.

Sub-national:  Provinces Nghệ An to Quảng Ngãi have taken immediate measures to prepare for storm Haitang, in line with the four on the spot motto and circular 31/CĐ-TW.  Early harvesting of summer production has been carried out in Nghệ An (36.000/96.000ha), Hà Tĩnh (16.700/41.190ha) and Quảng Nam (700/700ha).  Hà Tĩnh province has mobilized 1,646 officers, soldiers, police, military, border guards, youth and students from high schools and vocational schoolsfor two days to help with the rice harvesting.  Quảng Ngãi province has evacuated 26 households or 125 people in low-lying areas in Diêm Điền village, Tịnh Hòa, Trường Thọ Đông and Sơn Tịnh commune, Tịnh Sơn district  Since 26/09, provinces Nghệ An, Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Bình, Thừa Thiên Huế, Đà Nẵng, and Quảng Nam do not allow boats to go at sea due to the storm.  Provinces in the Mekong Delta continue to mobilize materials, logistics, and human resources to reinforce embankments and dikes in order to protect the population and produce against flooding. The population in landslide and flood prone areas has also been evacuated and early harvesting of rice has been carried out. Based on local reports, as of 26/09, 385.340 out of 609.934ha of rice has been harvested (Đồng Tháp: 70.120/98.858ha; An Giang: 2.918/131.368ha; Cần Thơ: 31.000/54.363ha; Tiền Giang: 36.460/43.423ha; and Kiên Giang: 244.842/281.922ha).  1,509 soldiers have been mobilized in Đồng Tháp and An Giang province to assist with reinforcing embankments.

V. International Response

 The United Nations Programme Coordination Group on Natural Disasters and Emergencies (UN PCG NDE) is closely monitoring the situation and will dessiminate regular situation reports. Their monthly meeting is planned for Thursday 29th of September, from 10am till 12.  UNITAR/UNOSAT has been contacted by the UN PCGNDE to request for sattelite imagery for the Haitang and Nesat storms and accompaning rainfall. Information will be disseminated once it is available.

VI. Contacts

For more information, please visitCCFSC website: http://www.ccfsc.gov.vn

For detailed weather forecasting: http://www.nchmf.gov.vn

Bui Viet Hien (Ms.), Program Analyst (Disaster Risk Management) United Nations Development Programme 25-29 Phan Boi Chau, Hanoi, Vietnam Email: [email protected]