Nghe An identifies 'prevention as key' to minimize damage caused by natural disasters

On the afternoon of April 20, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held a national conference on natural disaster prevention, control and search and rescue in 2023. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang - Head of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control - Chairman of the National Committee for Natural Disaster Response and Search and Rescue chaired the conference.

Overview of the national conference on disaster prevention, control and search and rescue in 2023. Photo:Nongnghiep.vn

175 PEOPLE AND 19,500 BILLION VND DAMAGED BY NATURAL DISASTERS IN 2022

In 2022, natural disasters occurred abnormally, extremely, and irregularly right from the first months of the year in many regions across the country, with 21/22 types of natural disasters (except tsunamis), of which 1,072 natural disasters were recorded. Natural disasters in 2022 caused 175 deaths and missing people, with economic damage of nearly 19,500 billion VND (1.6 times the loss of life and 3.4 times the economic damage compared to 2021).

Since the beginning of 2023, there have been 3 heavy rains, 21 thunderstorms, 12 riverbank landslides, 78 earthquakes, 2 cold spells... Natural disasters have left 7 people missing, causing economic damage of nearly 25 billion VND.

Although natural disasters occurred abnormally, extremely, and against the law, with the strong direction of the Central Government, ministries, branches, and armed forces, they overcame difficulties, especially the proactiveness of localities and communities, so the work of natural disaster prevention, control, and search and rescue in 2022 and the first months of 2023 achieved comprehensive results, contributing to minimizing damage.

Panoramic view of Nghe An province bridge chaired by Mr. Nguyen Duc Trung - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. Photo: Pham Bang

The work of overcoming the consequences of natural disasters in 2022 has received attention, deployed quickly and promptly. The work of supporting people to stabilize their lives, production, and restore essential infrastructure has received attention, deployed quickly and promptly, especially supporting the repair of houses, clearing landslides and flooded roads, etc. The forces have rescued 5,542 people and 349 vehicles; evacuated 32,142 households to safety, repaired 4,473 houses and 198 km of roads...

However, there are still regrettable human losses in natural disasters due to subjectivity and carelessness. The implementation of the 4-on-the-spot motto at the grassroots level in some places is still formal and not very effective. The resilience of infrastructure is still low. Reservoir operations are still passive, and operating procedures still have many shortcomings. Forecasting and early warning work is still limited. Resources for overcoming consequences are still lacking and do not meet requirements...

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Hoang Hiep informed about natural disaster prevention, control and search and rescue work in 2022 at the Conference. Photo:Nongnghiep.vn

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the natural disaster situation in the whole country continues to be complicated, unpredictable and extreme. It is forecasted that there will be 11-13 storms and tropical depressions in the East Sea and 5-7 storms affecting the mainland during the period from August to October 2023.

NGHE AN DETERMINES THE MOTTO "PREVENTION IS KEY"

Presenting a report on the work of preventing, responding to and overcoming the consequences of floods, inundations, flash floods and landslides, comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee said that in 2022, natural disasters in the province were very complicated and extreme, killing 12 people, injuring 1 person, collapsing 100 houses, damaging 990 houses, blowing off roofs...; estimated economic damage of about 1,265 billion VND.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Duc Trung emphasized that as a locality regularly affected by natural disasters, storms and floods, Nghe An always determines the motto: "Proactively prevent, respond promptly, overcome urgently and effectively, in which prevention is the main thing".

Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee presented a speech at the conference. Photo: Pham Bang

Right before the rainy and stormy season, localities have proactively reviewed and developed plans and scenarios for natural disaster response suitable to the specific situation in the locality according to the "4 on-site" motto, paying special attention to the evacuation of people in areas at risk of landslides. The work of overcoming the consequences and rebuilding after natural disasters is carried out in 3 steps: Safety of people and property; stabilization of life and long-term development.

In addition to the achieved results, the work of natural disaster prevention, control and search and rescue in Nghe An is still facing difficulties and limitations. In particular, due to the diverse terrain and easy isolation, rescue work is facing many difficulties, and rescue equipment has not met the actual needs. Resources for overcoming the consequences of natural disasters are still very limited, only partially meeting the urgent needs during and immediately after natural disasters.

Flash floods caused heavy damage in Ky Son district on the night of October 1 and early morning of October 2, 2022. Photo: Tien Dong

At the conference, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to soon submit to the Prime Minister for approval the Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Irrigation Planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

In addition, consider supporting the province to invest in the construction of the Lam River Dam (a project to regulate and raise the water level of the Lam River) combined with a traffic bridge to serve flood regulation, prevent salinity intrusion, prevent drought and provide domestic water for the districts: Nam Dan, Hung Nguyen, Nghi Loc, Vinh city and Cua Lo town.

STRENGTHENING RESOURCES FOR WARNING AND FORECASTING WORK

Concluding the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang emphasized that with the drastic and synchronous direction and leadership of the Central Government, the efforts of the armed forces, localities and the community, the work of natural disaster prevention, control, search and rescue in 2022 has achieved positive results.

Leaders of departments, branches and sectors attended the conference at the Nghe An province bridge. Photo: Pham Bang

Emphasizing that natural disasters are increasingly unpredictable and complex, while resilience is decreasing, the Deputy Prime Minister said that our efforts to prevent and control natural disasters will become increasingly difficult, while resources are still limited. Therefore, all levels, sectors and people need to comply with regulations on natural disaster prevention, but need to regularly review and adjust them to suit reality.

On the other hand, ministries, branches and localities need to focus on prioritizing resources to strengthen warning and forecasting work; strengthen communication work; build and raise awareness and responsibility of officials and people in natural disaster prevention, response, search and rescue; continue to integrate programs; strengthen coordination, even in preparation work.

Leaders of departments, branches and sectors attended the conference at the Nghe An province bridge. Photo: Pham Bang

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang also requested that localities in their socio-economic development planning pay attention to natural disaster prevention tasks; and provide better care and investment after natural disasters have passed in affected areas.

At the conference, 4 collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in natural disaster prevention and control, contributing to minimizing damage caused by natural disasters, received Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister; 11 collectives and 16 individuals with outstanding achievements in search and rescue work in 2022 received Certificates of Merit from the National Committee for Natural Disaster Response and Search and Rescue.