Several provinces and cities in northern Vietnam have announced school closures ahead of fast-moving super typhoon Yagi’s expected entrance to the Gulf of Tonkin early on Saturday morning.

In the northern port city of Hai Phong, the Department of Education and Training was ordered to close certain schools slated to serve as temporary storm shelters from 12:00 pm on Friday, while students at the remaining schools have been told to stay home from Saturday until the storm passes. 

Hai Phong also imposed a ban on sea activities from 11:00 am on Friday until further notice, said Nguyen Van Tung, chairman of the Hai Phong City administration, during a meeting on Thursday to discuss measures in response to Yagi, the third storm to hit the East Vietnam Sea this year.

Authorities in districts across the city were asked to evacuate residents from apartment blocks, deteriorating homes, and low-lying areas.

Operators of ships, vessels, and fish farms on rivers, seas, and bays were required to be informed of the inclement weather and take shelter prior to 12:00 pm on Friday.

In neighboring Quang Ninh Province, the provincial administration issued an urgent directive for typhoon preparedness on Thursday afternoon.

As per the directive, the provincial education authority was told to make school closure decisions based on local weather conditions to ensure the safety of students and teachers.

Schools across the province have been told to closely monitor the storm; be prepared to execute flood, landslide, and typhoon response plans; and ensure timely communication with teachers, parents, and students, especially those in coastal and riverside areas.

In Bac Giang Province, director of the provincial Department of Education and Training Ta Viet Hung told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Thursday evening that all students would be off from school on Saturday.

On Friday afternoon, school leaders would decide whether to release students early depending on the typhoon’s development and weather conditions.

Schools will arrange make-up classes at a later date.

Due to its proximity to Quang Ninh, which is expected to endure a significant impact of the typhoon, Bac Giang is vulnerable to flash floods and other extreme weather conditions.

The education authority of Thai Binh Province also made a similar move, asking schools to keep a close watch on the typhoon and allow their students to stay home from Friday through Saturday.

Education facilities have also been told to maintain 24/7 emergency response teams and remain connected with local steering committees for disaster prevention and control to react quickly in emergency situations.

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