Western Nghe An '4 on-the-spot' to proactively prevent and fight floods

Proactive with the motto "4 on-site"

These days, Que Phong district is "hotter" because of the serious subsidence incident on theNational Highway 16, the section passing through Doc Chuoi, Chau Kim commune. The subsidence incident not only cut off the vital traffic network, but also threatened the lives and property of many households living below.

In addition, during the recent rains, the roads leading to Nam Giai and Quang Phong communes were also flooded.landslides, causing traffic congestion, the locality had to mobilize forces and means on the spot to clear and fix damaged spill points. This is an initial signal showing that Que Phong district is facing risks caused by natural disasters that may occur in the coming rainy and stormy season.

To proactively respond to natural disasters, since the beginning of April, the People's Committee of Que Phong district has issued a response plan. It is determined that Que Phong district is not directly affected by storms, but is affected by storm circulation causing rain, flash floods, landslides, and inundation in low-lying areas; with terrain divided by rivers, streams, and steep traffic networks, clinging to mountain slopes, prone to landslides..., therefore, every year, Que Phong district is often affected by 3-7 large and small floods from 3 main rivers (Quang River, Nam Giai River, Nam Viec River) and other large and small streams.

As for landslides, the area of ​​influence is the whole district, but the high risk is on the roads leading to the border communes: Nam Giai, Thong Thu, Tri Le.

Mr. Phan Trong Dung - Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Standing member of the Command Board for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control and Search and Rescue of Que Phong district said: The district has completed the Command Board for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control and Search and Rescue at all levels, with the motto "4 on-site". In which, the on-site forces include: Army, police, militia, shock troops and other forces mobilized by the district and commune levels in the area. On-site means and equipment are canoes, boats, life jackets, excavators, saws, and other specialized equipment.

“In recent years, the district has been equipped with an excavator, ready to respond when necessary. In addition, there are more than 10 construction enterprises in the area, and when an incident occurs, we will mobilize vehicles and machines to the scene. In addition, we will requisition other materials such as packaging, sand, rocks, etc. from the people to promptly respond to natural disasters,” said Mr. Phan Trong Dung.

Tien Phong commune has 3 resettlement villages, which are new lands so landslides are likely to occur. Mr. Vo Khanh Toan - Party Secretary, Chairman of Tien Phong Commune People's Committee said: Every year, during the rainy season, the locality has a hard time, often on duty on days with heavy rain to be ready to support people whenever they receive reports of landslides. In addition to the flood-prone areas along streams and creeks, Tien Phong commune is most concerned about the 3 resettlement areas, because this area is newly leveled land, and landslides often occur when there is heavy rain.

Visiting the Pieng Cu resettlement area, Tien Phong commune, it can be seen that many roads have been damaged, and many points in the residential area are at high risk of landslides.

Mr. Ha Van Phong - Head of Pieng Cu village could not help but worry, every year during the rainy season, people cannot sleep well. Landslides have occurred here since the resettlement until now, although trees have grown more and landslides have been reduced, but they are still not enough to withstand the prolonged heavy rains.

In remote districts such as Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Quy Chau, etc., flash floods can occur at any time, anywhere. Therefore, these localities are always on guard and prepared for floods and landslides. Most recently, on the night of July 21, a prolonged heavy rain caused floods in several communes of Tuong Duong district: Tam Thai, Tam Dinh, Tam Quang, Luong Minh, Thach Giam town, Yen Na, Yen Thang, Yen Tinh, Huu Khuong, etc., affecting many houses, crops, irrigation works, domestic water, etc.; total damage is estimated at about 671 million VND.

With the motto of taking precautions to reduce damage, when flash floods, landslides occur, rescue work is given top priority, so mountainous districts have promptly issued disaster response plans, with the motto "4 on-site".

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Truong - Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ky Son district said that the locality had experienced a historic flash flood, causing heavy damage to people's and State's property. Therefore, since April, the district has issued a natural disaster response plan from the district to the commune level. In particular, "hot spots" of landslides, flash floods, and flash floods in Ky Son area were identified in the communes: Ta Ca, Muong Tip, Bao Nam, Bao Thang, Huu Lap...

Heavy rain warnings are likely to occur more often this year.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the current ENSO state (including EL Nino and La Nina phenomena) is in a neutral phase.

Statistics show that during La Nina years, rainfall often exceeds the average of many years in the coastal provinces of the Central and Southwest regions, and is lower than the average of many years in the North, Central Highlands and Southeast regions. Notably, there is a possibility of heavy rains in the Central region, especially in the autumn months.

In the above complex climate conditions, localities need to proactively and regularly check vulnerable areas, flash floods, and landslides before the rainy season, storms, and heavy rains to ensure people's safety.

More specifically, from late July to September, there is a possibility of transitioning to La Nina with a probability of about 65-75%. From October to December, La Nina appears with a probability of about 70-90%.

Thus, the closer to the end of the year, the greater the probability of La Nina appearing. La Nina phenomenon will cause the risk of heavy rain, storms and floods in the last months of the year, especially in the Central region.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting predicts that from now until the end of the year, there will be 10-12 storms and tropical depressions operating in the North East Sea, of which about 5-7 will directly affect Vietnam; the possibility of strong storms appearing in the East Sea cannot be ruled out. When storms appear in the East Sea, their developments are rapid and very unpredictable, making it difficult to prevent and combat storms.

In addition, around July - August, rainfall is approximately at the same level as the average of many years in the same period. However, from September to November, rainfall in the North will increase by about 10-30%. From July to September, rainfall in the Central region will increase by about 10-20% compared to the average of many years in the same period and from October to December, rainfall is likely to increase by 20-40% compared to the average of many years in the same period.

Thus, heavy rains will be concentrated towards the end of the year, especially in the Central region, including Nghe An, increasing the risk of prolonged flooding, widespread flooding, flash floods, and landslides. To respond to natural disasters, it is extremely necessary to issue a disaster response plan, with the motto "4 on-site"./.