On the morning of August 26, at the forward command headquarters in Nghe An, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha chaired a session to assess response strategies and recovery efforts following the landfall of storm number 5 (Kajiki) on the evening of August 25.

At the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister heard reports from localities, ministries, and functional agencies regarding the extent of damage and their ongoing responses to the storm.

Nguyen Duc Trung, Secretary of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee, reported that the storm's behavior was highly unpredictable and almost unprecedented. Thanks to accurate and timely forecasts, along with continuous direction from the central government and swift implementation of local response measures, the initial damage in Nghe An was kept to a minimum. Most importantly, human lives were largely protected. According to preliminary statistics, the province reported no casualties directly caused by the storm, though one person died while reinforcing their home before landfall, and two others were injured during the storm. Initial reports show 91 homes damaged, many with roofs blown off, along with nine classrooms from two schools and one medical facility affected.

Nguyen Duc Trung added that the province is prioritizing local-level response following the “four-on-the-spot” approach to initial recovery. Additional forces are supporting efforts to restore essential infrastructure, including roads, power lines, and telecommunications.

He reaffirmed Nghe An’s commitment to closely monitor weather developments and urgently follow through with recovery measures as directed by the Prime Minister to ensure public safety and quickly return life to normal.

Speaking at the meeting, Lieutenant General Ha Tho Binh, Commander of Military Region 4, confirmed that the military had mobilized its full resources and personnel to support post-storm recovery. Special focus was being placed on schools preparing for the new academic year and families with special needs or hardships.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha praised the effective storm response by the provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh. He noted that storm number 5 was highly unusual but local authorities responded promptly, minimizing casualties. This was only the second storm under the new two-tiered government system. Authorities had 48 hours to prepare, and despite initial uncertainties, real-world experience, accurate forecasting, and strict compliance with emergency directives enabled provinces to roll out adaptive strategies for both coastal and mountainous areas. He commended local leaders for their well-organized delegation of responsibilities and proactive community engagement. Central government leadership also played a crucial role with regular oversight and guidance.

The Deputy Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of reviewing flood defense systems, particularly dikes and reservoirs, to ensure safety. He called for close monitoring in mountainous areas, especially in Nghe An and Thanh Hoa, due to the risk of flash floods and landslides.

He also requested that the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment enhance their forecasting capacity. Forecast bulletins should be promptly sent to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers. In addition, reservoir operations must be reassessed, and pre-emptive water releases should be considered to prevent overflow risks.

Regarding force mobilization, he stressed the need for more effective strategies, especially for vulnerable coastal and mountainous zones. Coordination among ministries, sectors, and local forces should be more seamless, and communication must remain uninterrupted and timely.

In terms of leadership and governance, he noted that the forward command headquarters maintained unity and discipline. However, coordination between different administrative levels should be re-evaluated, and scenario planning should be developed according to severity levels and local specifics.

The immediate priority, he said, is to maintain task forces and restore schools and medical facilities. For affected residents, local governments must prepare detailed lists to ensure comprehensive support for vulnerable and policy-beneficiary households. “If a roof is damaged, fix the roof. If a house is ruined, rebuild it. For other groups, provide manpower to assist with storm recovery,” Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha concluded.

PV