Hai Duong evacuates hundreds of households as Typhoon Yagi approaches

Chairman of the Hai Duong provincial People's Committee Le Ngoc Chau (in dark clothes), inspects the fish cage farming area on the Kinh Thay river in Nam Tan commune, Nam Sach district

All households residing in boat dwellings, deteriorating residential blocks, and dangerous housing areas in Hai Duong city, Hai Duong province were relocated to safer places on Saturday morning.

According to the city People’s Committee, a total of 926 people across the city are living in boats, old residential blocks, and unsafe housing areas. Out of this number, 861 individuals have temporarily moved in with relatives to avoid the storm, while 132 people have been provided with temporary housing arranged by local authorities during the evacuation.

Previously, to prepare for Typhoon Yagi, the authorities of Pham Ngu Lao ward urged 132 households (370 residents) from the B2 and B3 Binh Minh blocks to relocate to safer locations.

For households unable to find alternative accommodation, the ward arranged temporary housing in the dormitory of Le Quy Don Secondary School. The dormitory has 220 beds with adequate bedding and a kitchen for cooking. Authorities have also ensured that essential supplies, including food, are available to support the evacuees during their temporary stay.

At the May Bom residential block in Nguyen Trai ward, 114 households, comprising 254 residents, were affected. This included 50 households living in the dangerous single-storey block and 64 households in two- and three-storey blocks.

By Saturday morning, local authorities had assisted in relocating all households from the dangerous block to stay with relatives or in the Nguyen Trai ward community hall. Residents from the two- and three-storey blocks have signed agreements to be ready to evacuate within one hour if necessary.

Similarly, 13 households from the May Xay residential block have also moved to stay with relatives. Evacuees from these residential blocks were instructed to only take essential personal belongings and have committed to returning home only when it is deemed safe by local authorities.

Local authorities have assigned police, neighbourhood security forces, and militia to ensure the safety of both the people and their property during the evacuation and at their temporary accommodation.

The B2, B3, and B4 Binh Minh residential blocks have been classified as danger level D, the highest danger rating, and are in urgent need of demolition to ensure safety.

Previously, in July 2023, residents of the B4 Binh Minh block were relocated from this deteriorating complex. However, residents of the B2 and B3 blocks have not yet moved, as Hai Duong city is in the process of constructing a resettlement area, after which the remaining households will be relocated.

TB (according to VNS)