Hoang Su Phi proactively prevents and combats natural disasters

BHG - In 2024, Hoang Su Phi district experienced 16 storms causing flash floods and landslides, causing 11 casualties, more than 850 houses damaged, many traffic routes and welfare works were severely affected. In order to minimize damage during this year's rainy and flood season, the district has implemented many proactive solutions early and from afar; focusing on forecasting, warning and raising awareness of natural disaster prevention and control (PCTT) among the people.

Hoang Su Phi focuses on completing disaster prevention and control projects before the rainy and flood season.

During the circulation of storm No. 3 that occurred in September 2024, Ban Nhung commune suffered heavy damage with 1 person dead, 1 person injured, 5 houses completely swept away by flash floods, 44 houses in dangerous areas had to be urgently evacuated. Up to now, the local government has overcome the consequences and stabilized people's lives. However, 7 months after the storm passed, it still affects people's livelihoods and socio-economic development in the locality, requiring proactive response in the rainy and flood season this year. Accordingly, the People's Committee of the commune has proactively developed a plan and deployed PCTT situations close to the actual situation. The Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control and Search and Rescue (PCTT&TKCN) of the commune was assigned to continue to inspect areas at risk of landslides, closely monitor new cracks; review and develop plans to evacuate households in dangerous areas. At the same time, step up propaganda and mobilize people to reinforce and cross-tie their houses; make plans to upgrade village and hamlet cultural houses into temporary evacuation places when natural disasters occur.

Chairman of Ban Nhung Commune People's Committee, Ly Van Lam shared: “PCTT & TKCN work is an important task to protect people's lives and property. Clearly identifying this, we pay special attention to training, raising awareness and PCTT skills, and spreading knowledge to each household. In addition, with the viewpoint of taking prevention as the main thing, not letting people fall into a passive position, propaganda work on skills to recognize and respond to natural disasters is also regularly deployed, helping people raise awareness and proactively prevent early. When natural disasters suddenly occur, the commune always adheres to the motto of "four on-site", responding flexibly and promptly, minimizing damage and quickly overcoming consequences to help people stay safe in all situations.

Authorities put up signs warning of landslide risks in Tu Nhan commune.

With steep mountainous terrain, interspersed with many rivers and streams, Hoang Su Phi is a locality that is frequently affected by natural disasters due to climate change. In 2024, the area experienced many prolonged cold spells (from January to April); droughts and localized heat waves (from May to July). In August to October alone, there were 16 spells of rain, storms, thunderstorms, and lightning, killing 6 people and injuring 5; over 850 houses were affected by roof loss and landslides; over 50 hectares of crops were damaged; 15 roads managed by the district were eroded at 574 locations. Provincial Road 177 and National Highway 4D had hundreds of landslides with thousands of cubic meters of soil and rocks; total damage was over 148 billion VND.

To overcome the consequences of natural disasters, the district has mobilized all resources with nearly 10,000 working days to help households whose houses collapsed and households in urgent need of evacuation. Currently, localities have arranged to start building new housing for more than 100 households in a mixed form. For families with people who died due to landslides, support is 40 million VND/house and 25 million VND for funeral expenses. At the same time, organize local forces, mobilize people to repair damaged social welfare works. Promote socialization, call on organizations, businesses and philanthropists to support and help people rebuild their lives.

Comrade Ly Choi Nhan, Vice Chairman of Hoang Su Phi District People's Committee, said: Realizing the serious impact of natural disasters, the district has determined that disaster prevention and control work must be deployed early and from afar, with the motto of "proactive prevention and mitigation of damage". Right from the beginning of the year, the District People's Committee has directed functional agencies to develop disaster prevention and control scenarios in a synchronous, consistent and flexible manner in line with the actual situation in the area; assign inspections and assess the level of risk in areas at risk of flash floods, landslides, etc. At the same time, 100% of communes and towns are required to carefully review vulnerable points, place warning signs; develop plans to evacuate residents when necessary. At the same time, the district has also strengthened the grassroots disaster prevention and control shock force, maintaining a 24/7 duty regime during the rainy and stormy season. Emergency response plans are carefully prepared according to the motto "4 on-site, 3 ready".

Currently, the district is continuing to improve the effectiveness of forecasting and early warning of natural disasters. Many smart weather stations have been installed to help enhance forecast bulletins on loudspeaker systems, SMS messages and social networks so that people can quickly update the developments of rain and floods. Notably, the PCTT commitment model has been deployed, signed between the district People's Committee and 24 communes and towns; communes and towns with 199 villages and residential groups. Up to now, nearly 12 thousand households have signed the agreement. Despite the synchronous implementation of many solutions, floods and landslides in Hoang Su Phi are still difficult problems due to the steep mountainous terrain and difficult socio-economic conditions. The effective solution is the spirit of proactive prevention and adaptation to reduce damage.

Article and photos: HOANG HA

Source: https://baohagiang.vn/xa-hoi/202504/hoang-su-phi-chu-dong-phong-chong-thien-tai-5036f61/