Proactively respond to natural disasters

(HNNN) - This year, extreme weather phenomena such as heat waves, droughts, localized heavy rains causing floods, inundation... are forecasted to appear more frequently and more unpredictably than in previous years. To ensure the safety of people's lives and property, localities and relevant agencies of the city have been proactively implementing many measures to be ready to respond to natural disasters.

Some areas in Hanoi's inner city were flooded after the first heavy rain of the season. Photo: Nguyen Truong

Chairman of Chuong My District People's Committee Nguyen Dinh Hoa:
Identify risks and be prepared to respond to forest floods

Chuong My is one of the "flood centers" of Hanoi city. However, most of the existing pumping stations do not meet the drainage capacity when heavy rains of more than 250mm occur. Many drainage canals have been eroded, silted, and degraded. Many dikes have not been invested in synchronously, lacking flood protection elevation according to planning. The power supply system often has problems when there are heavy rains and floods...

Clearly identifying natural disaster risks in the area, Chuong My district has directed communes and towns to regularly inspect and identify dangerous areas such as riverbanks, low-lying areas, areas at risk of landslides, areas affected by flash floods; develop plans and proactively evacuate people from dangerous areas before natural disasters occur.

Communes and towns need to strengthen propaganda and dissemination of laws on natural disaster prevention and control; skills, knowledge and experience in natural disaster prevention and control, search and rescue; mobilize people to proactively prepare, be ready to prevent and respond to incidents and natural disasters in their families and actively participate in prevention and control work to reduce damage caused by natural disasters, search and rescue in the locality.

Chairman of Phuc Tho District People's Committee Nguyen Dinh Son:
“4 on-site” protection of key and vulnerable areas

Through inspection and assessment of the current status of the project, the authorities determined that in Phuc Tho there are still 3 key and vulnerable dike areas, namely the left dike of Tich (section from Tong point, Tich Giang commune to the border of Cam Yen commune), the right dike of Hong and Cam Dinh sluice.

To ensure the safety of the dikes, the district established 2 concentrated shock troops consisting of 300 people to perform the tasks of dike protection, natural disaster prevention and control, and search and rescue. The communes fully prepared tools and materials, ensuring that each dike guard post had 5m3 of sand, 5m3 of stone, 100 sacks, 50kg of straw, 10m2 of bamboo, 10 bamboo trees... At the same time, each commune had to reserve 2,000 sacks, 1,000kg of straw, 100m2 of bamboo, 200 bamboo trees, 3,000kg of bamboo, 2,000m3 of soil... Each family prepared 5 sacks of soil, 5 bamboo stakes 1.5 - 2m long, 6 - 8cm in diameter.

In addition, communes established patrol, guard and dike protection teams with 12 to 18 people to carry out tasks from June 1 to October 31... Phuc Tho district directed communes to strengthen management, prevent and thoroughly handle violations of dike laws; regularly inspect key and vulnerable dike areas; organize training and practice skills to detect and handle dike incidents...

Deputy Director of Drainage Enterprise No. 3 (Hanoi Drainage One Member Co., Ltd.) Dinh Tien Hoang:
Timely urban drainage

Hoang Mai has a low-lying terrain, where wastewater and rainwater from the districts converge. Drainage Enterprise No. 3 (Hanoi Drainage One Member Co., Ltd.) is the main unit managing and operating the urban drainage system of Hanoi city.

To drain water quickly, shorten the flooding time, and reduce damage, the Enterprise has proactively coordinated with the District Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue Command and 14 wards of Hoang Mai district to review areas with potential flooding and stagnant water; develop a flood prevention and control plan according to the "4 on-site" motto (on-site command, on-site forces, on-site materials and means, and on-site logistics)...

The Enterprise has completed the repair and maintenance of machinery and equipment at the pumping stations: Tran Phu, Yen So; dredging the main drainage axis and key flooded areas on the roads and streets: Giai Phong, Nguyen Duc Canh, Luong Duc Thien, Ring Road 3; fully prepared human resources, materials, and means to ensure safe operation of drainage works throughout the rainy and stormy season...

Head of Ba Vi District Economic Department Nguyen Giap Dong:
Important, regular task of the entire political system

Ba Vi District identifies the work of preventing, responding to, and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters as an important and regular task of the entire political system. The district directs agencies and units to focus on developing plans to prevent flash floods, landslides, and inundation... for each village and commune according to the motto "3 ready", "4 on-site" and "5 no" so that cadres and people are aware of proactive prevention. In the plan, agencies and units must classify and specifically count the number of households and people living in areas at high risk of flash floods, landslides, inundation... to promptly evacuate when emergencies occur.

Agencies and units must inspect and review constructions, houses, warehouses, and public works to promptly repair and overcome damage... Agencies and units must pay special attention to the work of building evacuation plans, ensuring life, security, order, and traffic when strong storms or super storms make landfall in the district; organize the mobilization and effective use of forces, means, and equipment to respond to incidents and natural disasters...

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