Da Nang allows local authorities to decide school closures amid heavy rain

Tran Nam Hung, vice-chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee, signed a directive on Wednesday afternoon, instructing agencies and local administrations to take proactive measures against heavy rain and flooding.

According to the Central Region Hydro-Meteorological Station, Da Nang was forecast to experience moderate to heavy rain, with some areas seeing torrential downpours and thunderstorms from Tuesday through Thursday.

Local authorities were asked to stand ready to respond to possible natural disasters, prepare evacuation plans for residents in low-lying and riverside areas, and restrict access to dangerous sites such as submerged roads, fast-flowing streams, and landslide-prone slopes.

The Da Nang Department of Education and Training and commune-level administrations were authorized to decide independently whether to suspend classes to ensure student and teacher safety.

Between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm on Wednesday, some areas across Da Nang experienced heavy downpours, with the rainfall in Tam Ky exceeding 60 millimeters.

Soil moisture models indicated that several areas in Da Nang were already near saturation, raising risks of flash floods and landslides along rivers and streams in mountainous areas, as well as landslides on steep slopes and ground subsidence.

Localities considered at high risk include Hai Van, Hoa Vang, A Vuong, Ba Na, Ben Hien, Chien Dan, Dong Duong, Dong Giang, Duc Phu, Tay Giang, Tay Ho, Thang Phu, Thanh Binh, Tien Phuoc, Tra Leng, Tra Lien, Tra My, and Viet An.

The regional weather agency warned that rivers in Da Nang could see flood peaks around alarm level 1 between Wednesday and Friday, with high risks of inundation in urban areas and low-lying regions.

The city’s Civil Defense Steering Committee also ordered military and police units to prepare rescue equipment and coordinate evacuations if necessary.

Reservoir and dam operators were instructed to maintain 24-hour monitoring, track rainfall and water levels, and promptly inform downstream communities.