East Sea to see 12 – 14 storms in 2018

The year 2018 will see about 12 – 14 storms and tropical depressions in the East Sea, some 4 – 6 are forecast to directly affect Vietnam’s mainland, according to the National Hydro-Meteorological Centre (NHMC).
Illustrative image (Source: VNA)
Illustrative image (Source: VNA)
The information was shared during a conference for pre-storm season forecast in 2018 and launch of provincial coordinating forces for disaster response held by the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) in Hanoi on May 7.

Typhoons and tropical depressions are more likely to hit the northern part of the East Sea at the beginning of this rainy season and will move towards the south in late 2018, threatening to affect the central region.

This year, the widespread heat will arrive late in the northern and central regions and it is expected to be not as long and severe as in 2017. Meanwhile, big floods may occur in the Mekong Delta

Participants to the conference also discussed natural disaster preparedness of the Government and VRCS, and a new model promoting coordination in natural disaster preparedness and prevention. In addition, they reviewed the effectiveness of the VRCS’s disaster response teams at all levels.

In response to natural disasters in 2018, the VRCS has prepared cash and supplies worth of over VND100 billion (US$4.4 million), ready to provide foraffected people, said VRCS President Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu. The supplies include consumer goods, home repair tool kits, tents, portable toilets, water purification tablets Aquatabs, water filters and more.

The VRCS later reviewed its campaign to provide relief for victims of Typhoon Damrey last year which received great support from international partners. The campaign has given about VND82.2 billion (over US$3.6 million) worth of supplies to more than 33,600 hardest-hit households in Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Thua Thien-Hue and Dak Lak provinces.

The VRCS has been honoured with Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister for its outstanding efforts in response to storms last year.

In 2017, the VRCS has provided support worth of nearly VND240 billion (US$10.56 million) for more than a half million people in Vietnam.

Other news