Nghe An province issues plans to respond to natural disasters.

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In Nghe An province, 2023 was a year of complex natural disasters. Specifically, there were 22 cold spells (including 16 Northeast monsoon periods); 3 periods of severe cold; 11 periods of intense heat; 36 tornadoes, hailstorms, lightning strikes, and localized heavy rains in many communes and districts across the province; and 1 period of widespread heavy rain across the province.

There were 45 accidents and incidents at sea, resulting in 16 deaths, 2 missing persons, 7 injuries, 6 fishing vessels sunk, 10 vessels burned, and 11 vessels damaged.

Therefore, the disaster response plans developed by the Provincial People's Committee aim to minimize damage caused by natural disasters, especially to lives, property, infrastructure, and key facilities.

Timely relocation and evacuation of people in vulnerable areas to safe places, especially the elderly, people with disabilities, and children. Further enhance the proactive role of the Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command Boards at all levels and raise awareness among officials and the public in disaster prevention and control.

Maintain unity and proactiveness in directing and coordinating with the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue, and Civil Defense, as well as the Steering Committees for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue in various sectors and districts, cities, and towns. Equip localities and sectors with a comprehensive disaster response plan for implementation; and simultaneously develop plans for their own localities and units.

The disaster response plan includes the following contents: protecting disaster prevention and control structures and key infrastructure; evacuating and protecting people, property, and production; ensuring security, order, traffic, and communication; coordinating and directing disaster prevention, response, and search and rescue; human resources for disaster response; stockpiling supplies, equipment, and essential goods; measures to respond to and mitigate various types of natural disasters; and search and rescue operations. The Provincial People's Committee has developed specific plans for disaster response.

Accordingly, evacuation of residents will be carried out in accordance with the intensity of each storm and according to the Flood Map due to Sea Level Rise in the event of strong storms and superstorms for each area of ​​Nghe An province, issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on April 6, 2015, divided into 5 scenarios: Storm level 16 combined with high tide; storm level 15 combined with high tide; storm level 14 combined with high tide; storm level 13 combined with high tide; storm level 13 combined with moderate tide.

To carry out the evacuation of flood-affected residents, on August 25, 2015, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 3743/QD-UBND.NN approving the review and supplementation of the planning for flood and storm prevention, flash flood prevention, and landslide prevention in the province.

This includes a scenario where the flood level on the Ca River in Nam Dan reaches alarm level III and emergency alert, affecting nine districts and cities: Vinh, Con Cuong, Anh Son, Thanh Chuong, Do Luong, Hung Nguyen, Nam Dan, Tan Ky, and Nghia Dan. In the case of an emergency alert, the estimated number of people needing to be relocated or evacuated is 94,360; for alarm level III, the estimated number of people to be evacuated is 64,786.

For the scenario of flash floods, landslides, and mudslides in mountainous districts, the evacuation area will affect Vinh City, Hung Nguyen District, and 10 mountainous districts and towns, with an estimated 87,352 people to be relocated within their designated areas.

Regarding dam failures and flood releases from large reservoirs, the evacuation scope for reservoirs without floodgates, especially those in dilapidated condition, poses a risk of dam failure when heavy rainfall exceeds the design frequency, affecting the lives of people downstream. Reservoirs managed by local authorities or companies have annual flood and storm prevention plans developed for each reservoir.

Therefore, when an incident occurs, it is necessary to quickly implement a timely evacuation plan for downstream residents according to the plan approved by the competent authorities. Scenario VIII only includes evacuation plans for large-scale reservoirs and those with a capacity exceeding 2 million cubic meters.²but it's actually weak.

For large reservoirs with flood control gates: For the Vuc Mau reservoir, a plan for evacuating residents downstream of the reservoir and within the Vuc Mau reservoir basin needs to be developed when the water level reaches +21m. For the Song Sao reservoir, a plan for evacuating residents downstream of the reservoir and within the Vuc Mau reservoir basin needs to be developed when the water level exceeds +75.7m.

Regarding the plan to ensure security and order, the Provincial People's Committee assignedCprovincial policeDeploying forces to protect security, public order, social safety, key infrastructure, and the assets of the people, the State, and businesses.

Department of TransportationCoordinate with local authorities to deploy traffic control personnel at ferry crossings and low-lying areas to redirect people's movement and prevent concentration at passenger transport terminals during potential natural disasters or as warned by relevant authorities and local governments. Announce the suspension of ferry and low-lying area operations; prevent people and vehicles from crossing low-lying areas, and provide traffic guidance to ensure safety.

Department of Information and CommunicationsEnsuring the safety of broadcasting and television facilities, telecommunications infrastructure, and antenna towers in residential areas; implementing contingency plans and ensuring safe and uninterrupted communication with the central government, province, district, and town. Deploying communication plans, promptly disseminating warnings and measures for preventing, mitigating, and responding to natural disasters; and implementing directives and instructions from the central government and the Provincial People's Committee.

Based on the disaster forecast and warning bulletins, the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue and Civil Defense issues directives to the local Steering Committees for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue and relevant sectors to implement disaster response measures as prescribed.

Disaster prevention and search and rescue efforts in the province mobilize forces from various sectors, levels, organizations, businesses, volunteers, and all segments of the population, ready to be deployed to proactively respond to any situation when a natural disaster occurs.