Nghe An: Natural disasters cause economic damage of more than 1,200 billion VND

On the afternoon of March 20, the Provincial People's Committee held a conference to review disaster prevention, control and search and rescue work in 2022 and deploy tasks for 2023.

Attending and directing the conference were comrade Nguyen Van De - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control. Attending were leaders of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; and representatives of relevant departments, branches and sectors.

Comrade Nguyen Van De - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee spoke at the conference. Photo: Van Truong

In 2022, Nghe An will have 7 terrible storms and flash floods.

According to the report of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, since the beginning of 2022, many extreme weather phenomena such as tornadoes, lightning, and cold have occurred in the province. Specifically, there have been 22 cold spells; 9 heat waves; 33 tornadoes, lightning, hail, and heavy rain; and 5 widespread heavy rains. In particular, on the morning of October 2, 2022, in Ky Son district, there was localized heavy rain causingflash floods, severe flooding in Ta Ca commune and Muong Xen town.

In 2022 alone, Nghe An welcomed 7 storms and 2 tropical depressions operating in the East Sea. Of these, 3 storms (numbers 2, 3, 4) and tropical depressions (from July 4 to 8) directly affected Nghe An province.

Overview of the conference to review disaster prevention, control and search and rescue work in 2022 and deploy tasks for 2023. Photo: Van Truong

The consequences of the natural disaster were very severe, killing 12 people, injuring 1 person, collapsing 100 houses; 990 houses damaged, roofs blown off; 322 houses had to be urgently evacuated. The natural disaster also caused a lot of damage to agricultural and forestry production and infrastructure works, with estimated economic losses of about 1,265 billion VND.

In addition, in 2022, Nghe An province had 35 accidents and incidents with ships and boats at sea, specifically: 8 cases of fishing boats with engine failure at sea, 3 cases of fishing boats burning at sea. Of which, 4 cases of fishing boats sinking, 10 cases of crew members having work accidents at sea, 2 cases of bodies found drifting at sea, 8 cases of drowning. In total, 15 people died, 3 people went missing, 10 people were injured, 5 vehicles sank, 10 vehicles were damaged.

Although natural disasters are complicated, Nghe An province has carried out prevention and control work seriously, resolutely, synchronously, and well prepared all three stages of prevention, response, and overcoming consequences, thus limiting many losses in human lives and property.

However, the work of preventing and fighting natural disasters still has limitations such as: A number of cadres, people and local authorities are still subjective, lacking proactive response; the number of deaths due to storms, heavy rains and floods still occurs. Some cadres working on preventing and fighting natural disasters in localities have not been properly trained; there are no specific policies and regimes for the force of preventing and fighting natural disasters. There is still a situation of encroachment on the protection corridors of irrigation works and dykes, causing difficulties in preventing and responding to natural disasters...

Proactively respond to severe natural disasters in 2023

At the conference, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tien - Deputy Director of the North Central Hydrometeorological Station commented that in 2023, the weather forecast will have many complicated developments, the risk of tornadoes, hail will occur more often during the changing seasons. It is forecasted that in the near future, there will be many heavy rains, with rainfall greater than the average of previous years.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tien also requested localities to coordinate and provide information to help make the most realistic forecasts and warnings, contributing to effective natural disaster prevention and control. In late May and early June, there is a possibility of a flood occurring on the rivers of Nghe An province.the petty crowdFrom July to September, there is a possibility of 2-3 floods on the rivers of Nghe An. Along with that, it is necessary to guard against local water shortages and saltwater intrusion in coastal plain districts.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Minh - Chairman of Ky Son District People's Committee made recommendations at the conference. Photo: Van Truong

At the Conference, Mr.Mr. Nguyen Huu Minh - Chairman of the People's Committee of Ky Son district, a unit severely affected by natural disasters in 2022, proposed: It is necessary to promptly deploy the construction of an emergency resettlement area for people in Muong Xen town and Ta Ca commune, Ky Son district, including 224 households, so that people can move to a safe place, because this year's storm season is approaching. Relevant sectors need to coordinate to find a solution to solve cracks, subsidence, and the risk of landslides in Hoa Son village, Ta Ca commune.

Concluding the conference, comrade Nguyen Van De - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee acknowledged and highly appreciated the work of natural disaster prevention, control, search and rescue in the province in 2022. Before the impact ofclimate changeGlobally, natural disasters are increasingly complex and unpredictable. The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested that sectors and localities need to be proactive in preparation work, ready to effectively deploy disaster prevention and control work in 2023.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van De requested departments, branches, units and localities to urgently evaluate and draw experience from the direction and management of natural disaster prevention, control and search and rescue in the past time, thereby implementing appropriate and effective solutions for 2023. Along with that, continue to improve the Command Committee for natural disaster prevention, control - search and rescue and civil defense at all levels; clearly define the responsibilities of each member in direction and command to effectively implement.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested sectors and localities to closely monitor weather and natural disaster developments; proactively review and develop response plans and scenarios at each level for each type of natural disaster, incident, natural disaster, and incident that may occur in the area; prepare materials, equipment, and human resources to respond promptly, ensuring the safety of people and tourists.

In particular, it is necessary to urge investors and construction units to urgently repair works damaged by storms, floods, and serve natural disaster prevention and control; to be completed before July 30. Training and drills on natural disaster prevention and control and search and rescue must be strictly prepared at all levels according to the "4 on-site" motto; to be completed before July 30.

Localities and units review, balance, and prioritize funding sources to invest in and repair damaged and unsafe disaster prevention and control works, especially lakes, dams, and dykes, to overcome landslides, stabilize residential areas, and anchorage areas for ships and boats to avoid and shelter from storms.

Flash floods in 2022 in Ky Son district. Photo archive

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested localities to establish inspection teams for disaster prevention, control, search and rescue at all levels, to find the best solutions, ensuring completion before July 30.

On this occasion, the Provincial People's Committee awarded Certificates of Merit to 5 collectives and 5 individuals with outstanding achievements in disaster prevention, control and search and rescue in 2022.