In a directive dated September 22, the PM cited the National Central for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting saying Sagara is currently swirling across the eastern part of the Philippines’ Luzon Island, with winds gusting more than 200kph. The super typhoon is forecast to enter the East Sea on the evening of September 22 and threaten Vietnamese localities from the central province of Ha Tinh to the northern province of Quang Ninh on September 24-25.

The PM requested that Party Secretaries and Chairpersons of People’s Committees from Quang Ngai province northwards, along with relevant ministries and agencies, closely monitor storm developments and immediately implement the highest level of preparedness. Coastal localities from Quang Ninh to Quang Ngai must postpone non-essential meetings and mobilise the entire political system to focus on storm response.

The directive calls for strict monitoring and timely notification to fishing vessels, guidance for safe evacuation, and firm restrictions or bans on going to sea when unsafe. Localities must reinforce houses, structures, and sea dikes; assist farmers in harvesting crops early; and prepare evacuation plans, rescue forces, and equipment.

The Prime Minister tasked the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment with closely monitoring the super typhoon, updating forecasts, ensuring the safety of fishing vessels, dikes, reservoirs, and agricultural production, and coordinating the safe operation of inter-reservoir systems. The Ministry of Construction is to ensure the safety of infrastructure and construction works, while also deploying search-and-rescue vessels at key locations.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade must secure the safety of industrial production, oil and gas facilities, hydropower plants, and the power grid; ensure the steady supply of essential goods; and prevent hoarding or price gouging. The Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security are directed to protect their forces and assets, and stand ready to assist localities in evacuation, disaster response, and rescue operations when required.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Ragasa, with maximum sustained winds near its centre gusting over 200kph, has already surpassed the strength of super typhoon Yagi, which caused severe damage to Vietnam in September 2024.

Notably, Ragasa is likely to shift slightly further south, reducing friction with the southern coast of China. This means the super typhoon could still maintain its extreme intensity when making landfall in Vietnam.

In addition, an early-season cold air mass from the north is moving toward the country. The interaction between this cold air and Ragasa in the coming days is expected to make the typhoon’s track and intensity even more complex and unpredictable.

Ragasa developed from a tropical depression off the coast of the Philippines and intensified into a typhoon on September 18. Since its formation, it has strengthened by nine categories, potentially making it the most powerful super typhoon ever to form in the East Sea.

Education Ministry works out school closure plan ahead of Ragasa landfall

VOV.VN - The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) has requested that the Departments of Education and Training of a certain number of provinces and cities develop a scenario for temporary school closures before super typhoon Ragasa makes landfall.