Strengthening disaster prevention and search and rescue efforts.

(Baonghean.vn) - On the afternoon of September 10th, the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue held a working session to assess the preparations for disaster prevention and search and rescue in 2015 and to implement tasks for the coming period. Mr. Dinh Viet Hong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue, chaired the meeting.

Also attending were Comrade Ho Ngoc Sy, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and members of the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue, as well as leaders from relevant levels and sectors.

Overview of the working session

Comrade Dinh Viet Hong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, chaired the meeting.

Comrade Ho Ngoc Sy, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, delivered a speech at the working session.

Over the past eight months, weather, meteorological, and hydrological conditions have been erratic and unpredictable: Widespread droughts have occurred, causing loss of life and damage to agricultural production; 18 tornadoes and thunderstorms have occurred; In mountainous districts, rainfall has only reached about 40-50% of the annual average, while in lowland districts, rainfall has only reached 30-40% of the average... According to compiled reports, natural disasters in the past eight months have caused 4 deaths (3 deaths from drought and 1 death from lightning), 2 injuries, 67 houses collapsed, and 12,200 hectares of rice, corn, and vegetables, and 2,681 hectares of tea and sugarcane were damaged... The total estimated damage is approximately 557.5 billion VND.

To implement the disaster prevention and search and rescue tasks, the leaders of the Provincial People's Committee and members of the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command Board have inspected and urged localities and units to carry out disaster prevention and search and rescue tasks: They have inspected the two main irrigation systems (South and North) and the drought situation in localities, and proposed a number of immediate and long-term solutions for disaster prevention and search and rescue. Districts, cities, and towns have actively dredged canals and installed oil pumping stations and mobile pumps to serve production...However, at some levels and sectors, the planning for key and critical infrastructure projects is not yet specific; the preparation of materials and equipment does not ensure the "four on-the-spot" principle in disaster prevention and control; and the handling of violations related to dikes, flood drainage corridors, and sand and gravel mining is still slow and lacks decisiveness...

The Chief of Staff of the Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue reported on the results of disaster prevention and search and rescue efforts in the past period.

The head of the North Central Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Station assessed the weather situation in the coming period.

According to the Northern Central Region Meteorological and Hydrological Station, the weather situation in the last months of 2015 will be complex: There is a possibility of 6-8 typhoons and tropical depressions in the East Sea, of which about 2-3 will affect the mainland of Vietnam; the total rainfall in the province is likely to be approximately equal to or less than the annual average; floods on the Ca River may occur from September to October at alarm level 1 to alarm level 2.

After listening to reports from comrades in the Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command Board and leaders of relevant levels and sectors on the implementation of disaster prevention and search and rescue tasks, Comrade Dinh Viet Hong,Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's CommitteeEmphasis: The weather situation in the coming period is expected to be highly unpredictable. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on disseminating information so that people understand and can plan to protect their property and lives during the rainy and stormy season. All levels of government and localities need to urge contractors to urgently complete irrigation and critical infrastructure projects before the rainy season arrives; focus on harvesting agricultural products before the rainy season; pay attention to the management of boats and ships. Localities should proactively inspect reservoirs and dams before, during, and after the rainy season, and avoid storing water in reservoirs and dams that do not meet safety standards; organize dredging and clearing of drainage canals in the area; review and supplement regulations on irrigation, and strictly handle violations of the protection corridor for disaster prevention and control works; prepare essential supplies and be ready to respond when needed;...

Hoang Vinh