Bat Xat district organizes civil defense, disaster response and search and rescue drills in 2024

Attending and directing the drill were comrades: Hoang Quoc Khanh, member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Deputy Permanent Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control and Search and Rescue, Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for the drill; Colonel Pham Hung Hung, member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Commander of the Provincial Military Command; Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Ngan, Political Commissar of the Provincial Military Command.

Attending the drill were also leaders of some provincial departments and branches; leaders of districts, towns and cities; leaders of communes and towns in Bat Xat district; and nearly 1,000 people from the drill force.

The exercise has two main contents: mechanism exercise and live exercise.

Mechanism rehearsal

For the mechanism drill, the hypothetical situation: Since the beginning of June, in the province and Bat Xat district, there has been continuous moderate and heavy rain in some communes such as Trinh Tuong, Phin Ngan, Quang Kim, Tong Sanh with an average rainfall of over 350 - 400mm; the water level of the Red River and some streams, hydroelectric and irrigation reservoirs in the district is rising, it is forecasted that flash floods, landslides may occur, endangering people's lives and property.

In response to the urgent telegram from the superior, the Civil Defense Command of Bat Xat district held a conference to assess the situation, predict the possibility of natural disasters in the area; determine the content and measures for prevention and response; report on the plan for natural disaster response, search and rescue and assign tasks and deploy necessary work for agencies, units and localities to respond to natural disasters and search and rescue in the area, ensuring the lives and property of the State and the People.

The drill on natural disaster response and search and rescue was held in Lang San village, Quang Kim commune. Accordingly, the hypothetical situation is: Due to prolonged heavy rain, the water level of rivers and streams in the district has risen, exceeding the alert level 3, the possibility of flash floods and landslides is very high. In particular, the water level of Ngoi San stream has risen, landslides, flash floods and landslides may occur in Ben Do village. In that situation, the Head of Ben Do village urgently announced the situation, warned of flash floods and landslides, and called on people to evacuate from dangerous areas. The local forces of Quang Kim commune evacuated people and people's property from areas at risk of flash floods and landslides. Due to the continued rain, rescue work was difficult, Quang Kim commune reported to the Chairman of the District People's Committee for timely support.

Forces participating in a live-fire exercise in Lang San village, Quang Kim commune.

Immediately after receiving the information, the Bat Xat District Civil Defense Command mobilized forces, established a command post, organized command and control of disaster response and search and rescue forces, and reported to the Head of the Provincial Civil Defense Command and requested reinforcements to help Bat Xat District overcome the consequences of the disaster. District and provincial forces coordinated with local forces in Quang Kim Commune to respond to natural disasters and search and rescue.

After 2 days of fighting against the flood, the water of Ngoi San stream has receded. Bat Xat district has mobilized maximum resources, materials and means to help people overcome the consequences of natural disasters and stabilize their lives.

Drill of forces supporting people to move flooded property and belongings.

At the end of the drill, according to the assessment of the Command Committee for Disaster Prevention, Control and Search and Rescue of Bat Xat district, the drill was successful, achieved the set goals and was classified as excellent.

The exercise was connected to 21 points in communes, towns, and schools in the district for people to follow. Through the exercise, the effectiveness of the leadership, direction, and management mechanism of the Party Committee, local authorities, especially the District Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command Committee was affirmed; the advisory role of the Military, Police, and departments, branches, and organizations in practicing the preparation and response to situations caused by natural disasters, storms, and floods was affirmed.

Comrade Hoang Quoc Khanh, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Permanent Deputy Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control and Search and Rescue, Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for the exercise gave a speech after the end of the exercise.

Speaking at the closing conference and experience sharing session of the exercise, comrade Hoang Quoc Khanh, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Standing Deputy of the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control and Search and Rescue, Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for the exercise, praised the efforts of the Civil Defense Command of Bat Xat district, Quang Kim commune, Phin Ngan commune and the forces actively participating in the successful exercise contents.

Comrade Hoang Quoc Khanh, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, presented gifts to units participating in the live-fire exercise.

The Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested that in the coming time, localities closely follow the direction of Military Region 2 and the Provincial Military Command to strengthen propaganda work on the Law on Civil Defense when it comes into effect (from July 1, 2024); all levels and sectors should further improve their ability to direct and coordinate command; develop civil defense plans to promptly respond when natural disasters occur...

Bat Xat District People's Committee awarded Certificates of Merit to outstanding collectives.

At the closing conference of the exercise, Bat Xat District People's Committee awarded Certificates of Merit to 16 groups and 40 individuals with outstanding achievements contributing to the success of the exercise.

Below are some pictures from the rehearsal: