Plan to evacuate people in Hanoi because the left-bank dike of Bui River is seriously threatened

It is forecasted that the water level of the Bui River (Chuong My District, Hanoi) will rise, threatening the safety of the left dike of the Bui River. Hanoi City is urgently implementing measures to protect the dike and prepare for evacuation.

Hanoi Chairman directs: Urgently evacuate 14,000 households at night if flood is severe

On the evening of July 30, speaking with reporters, Mr. Do Duc Thinh - Chief of Office of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of Hanoi City said that at this time, the functional forces are urgently implementing remedial measures to increase the endurance of the Ta Bui dike.

According to Mr. Do Duc Thinh, at noon on July 30, the water level on the Bui River in Yen Duyet section was 7.52 m, but by 4:00 p.m., the water level had decreased by about 7 cm to 7.45 m.

The left dike of Bui, Thanh Binh commune (Chuong My) has exceeded alarm level 3. Photo: Nguyen Chuong

However, according to the announcement from the Meteorological Center, tonight in the Northern region, specifically Hoa Binh, there may be rain and very heavy, maybe from 50-100mm. Therefore, the amount of water will flow into the Bui River and above alert level 3 about 1m.

Mr. Thinh also said that on the afternoon of July 30, he had sent a written report to the Hanoi City Party Committee and People's Committee.

"On the afternoon of July 30, Chairman of the City People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung also directly directed in Chuong My. Currently, functional forces, materials and equipment are being mobilized to prevent overflow. If the water level continues to rise by about 50cm, this area will be extremely tense," said Mr. Thinh, adding that the locality has just received 10,000 sacks, handed them over to the police force, mobilized militia and people to urgently build the dike, and continue to raise it to ensure overflow prevention.

In addition, the Chief of Office of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of Hanoi City said that in the worst case scenario, if the left dike of Bui cannot be maintained, Hanoi has prepared to notify the relevant areas via the radio and television system so that people know to prepare to evacuate to higher ground.

At this time, security and order work is being directed and deployed by the police and military forces. Currently, the forces are on duty 24/7.

Notably, Mr. Thinh informed: “If the left dike of Bui cannot be maintained, water will enter the entire Chuong My district and go up to areas deep inside Hanoi, including Ha Dong district and some inner-city districts. Traffic routes to the West will be severely cut off. However, that is the option that cannot maintain the left dike of Bui.”

Currently, security and order work is being directed and deployed by the police and military forces. The forces are on duty 24/7. Photo: Nguyen Chuong

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the water level of the Bui River is rising rapidly. At 11:00 a.m. on July 30, the water level of the Bui River at Lam Son (Hoa Binh) rose to 21.37m (0.37m above alert level 1).

It is forecasted that on the morning of July 31, the Hoa Binh area will have heavy rain again, with average rainfall of 50-100mm. In the next 12 hours, the water level on the Bui River at Lam Son will rise to 21.5m (0.5m above BĐ1); in the next 12-24 hours, it will rise to 23.5m, 0.5m above BĐ3.

Flooding in low-lying areas in Chuong My district (Hanoi) and Luong Son district (Hoa Binh), especially Nam Phuong Tien, Hoang Van Thu, and Tan Tien communes (Chuong My district), will last for many days to come.

Faced with the above situation, the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control requested the above localities to closely monitor flood information, check and review residential areas along rivers, streams, low-lying areas, outside river banks, areas at risk of flooding, waterlogging, and unsafe houses to proactively evacuate people.

Localities deploy flood prevention plans, ensure safety of flood prevention works according to alarm levels; organize patrols, check and review the preparation of forces, materials and means according to regulations.

Arrange traffic control forces at flooded roads, ferry terminals, etc. to guide people and vehicles. Control the safety of vehicles when operating.

Notify investors with construction works on rivers and riverside about flood information to proactively ensure safety for people, vehicles and works.

In addition, localities are reviewing and preparing the "4 on-the-spot" motto, focusing on stockpiling food, drinking water, medicine, necessities, etc. to be ready for situations of heavy rain and flooding lasting for many days.