Ky Son: Proactively implementing the "4 on-the-spot" principle.

(Baonghean) - Almost every year, Ky Son district experiences flash floods and landslides, causing heavy losses of life and property. Recognizing the unpredictable nature of natural disasters, the district has focused on developing and effectively implementing disaster prevention and rescue plans based on the "four on-the-spot" principle.

The Ky Son Military Command inspects vehicles used for flood control and search and rescue operations.

Ky Son district has a mountainous terrain with steep slopes and is heavily dissected by mountain ranges forming narrow valleys; the Nam Mo River flows from the upstream along with dozens of large and small rivers and streams. Therefore, there is always a potential risk of flash floods and landslides, causing localized flooding and mudslides during the rainy season. Some communes such as Bac Ly, My Ly, Na Loi... experience flash floods and landslides almost every year. In the first six months of the year alone, Ky Son district experienced two flash floods and dozens of tornadoes, damaging 14 houses and causing landslides, traffic disruptions, and significant damage to property and crops.

Mr. Mua No Xu, Vice Chairman and Deputy Head of the Standing Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Search and Rescue (PCLB&TKCN) of Ky Son district, said: “Based on the characteristics of the local situation and the actual consequences of floods, every year we determine that prevention must be the main focus. Because, unlike typhoons which are usually predicted in advance and can be dealt with, flash floods occur very unexpectedly and the consequences are very unpredictable. Therefore, to proactively cope with all situations and minimize damage caused by natural disasters, all local preparations according to the "four on-the-spot" principle are ready.”

Over the years, the Ky Son District Military Command has closely followed the principle of disaster prevention and mitigation based on the "four on-the-spot" approach, proactively advising the District Party Committee and the District People's Committee to direct communes and towns throughout the district to develop specific plans and strategies for disaster prevention and mitigation. The District Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command has organized working groups to go to each area to disseminate information, mobilize support, and relocate households at risk from dangerous areas to safe areas. Vulnerable areas such as spillways and weak bridges have been assigned personnel to be on standby to protect them during heavy rains.

In a conversation with Lieutenant Colonel Vi Hoè, Commander of the Military Command of Kỳ Sơn District, it was learned that, in order to cope with any flood situation, the locality places great importance on developing a plan to mobilize local forces. Because when floods occur, the terrain is often cut off and situations unfold unexpectedly, since the beginning of the year, the Military Command of Kỳ Sơn District has directed communes and towns in Kỳ Sơn to establish rapid response forces (this force is assigned to the mobile militia platoon and youth union as the core), ready to handle any situation that may arise. During training, the militia and self-defense forces of localities and units have incorporated supplementary training on flood and natural disaster prevention and control, with a focus on practicing swimming techniques to rescue people, methods of rescuing victims; handling situations of searching for and bringing victims out of dangerous areas, and methods of first aid for victims in rivers and streams...

To bring forces and local people closer to the actual situation, the District Military Command recently directed Chieu Luu commune to conduct a model exercise on flood and storm prevention and control for localities throughout the district to observe and learn from. In addition, the plan to mobilize vehicles and materials for flood and storm prevention and control is also emphasized. In localities, besides preparing items such as lifebuoys and ropes, the Flood and Storm Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue Command has developed plans and organized contracts with units, businesses, and households with motorboats, excavators, bulldozers, etc., to mobilize vehicles and forces when a situation occurs.

With a positive, proactive, and flexible approach to disaster prevention and search and rescue, the Ky Son District Military Command is now ready to effectively respond to any unusual weather developments, minimizing damage to people and property when storms occur in the area.

Phung Ngoc Thang

HT: 5NK 129 Vinh