No locality should be left "empty" when a natural disaster occurs.

Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen chaired the Government's online meeting at the Hanoi People's Committee bridge. *Photo: Kim Nhue*

- Dear comrade, since the beginning of 2025, how has Hanoi carried out disaster prevention and control work and what are the outstanding results?

- The city identifies this as one of the key, regular tasks, associated with stabilizing people's lives and developing the economy and society. Right from the beginning of the year, the City People's Committee has closely directed and seriously implemented the direction of the Central Government, especially that of the Secretary of the City Party Committee and the Chairman of the City People's Committee.

The city has promptly issued plans for natural disaster prevention and control; strengthened the Command Committees at all levels; organized training and drills based on hypothetical situations. During the recent storm No. 3 (Wipha), thanks to proactive plans and synchronous participation, damage was significantly reduced. Communes and wards at the center of natural disasters promptly deployed plans for evacuation, rescue, dike protection, flood control and prevented serious damage.

- In the face of new developments of storm No. 4 and the ongoing heavy rain, what measures is the city taking, sir?

- The City People's Committee requires the entire political system from the city to the communes and wards to be on duty 24/7, proactively inspect key locations, review evacuation plans, and protect key dykes, pumping stations, and reservoirs.

The city also directed relevant departments, branches and units to closely coordinate and ensure means, materials and human resources according to the "4 on-site" motto. High-risk areas have been directed to put up warning signs, develop rescue plans and proactively inform the people.

- In 2024 and the first 7 months of this year, natural disasters have been very complicated, leaving behind many lessons. What has the Capital learned from that experience, comrade?

- The most profound lesson is not to be negligent or subjective in any situation. Natural disasters are becoming more extreme and unusual. In 2024, storm No. 3 caused severe damage in some localities; followed by prolonged heavy rains, causing landslides and deep flooding in low-lying areas. This year, in July, the capital was affected by storm No. 3 and is currently actively responding to storm No. 4.

Based on that reality, the city has directed localities to develop response scenarios that are close to actual conditions, adjusting rescue plans for each storm. Although the newly established communes and wards still face difficulties, they have made active preparations and responded flexibly.

- Dear comrade, what preparations has Hanoi made to adapt to the two-level local government model in disaster prevention and control?

Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen discusses Hanoi's natural disaster prevention and control work in the context of operating a two-tier local government model. *Photo: Kim Nhuệ*

- Immediately after completing the work of arranging administrative units according to the two-level local government model, the City People's Committee directed departments, branches, communes and wards to review plans and plans for natural disaster prevention and control, search and rescue; and established a Commune-level Civil Defense Command Committee. Up to now, 100% of communes and wards have completed the Command Committee, adjusted plans and plans to suit the new locality; and clearly assigned tasks, appropriate to each level of natural disaster risk.

This is a key factor to ensure that no locality is left "empty-handed" when a natural disaster occurs.

- In the context of no longer having a district-level government, will the city make any adjustments to its command and management mechanism, sir?

- This is a very new point and the city has prepared well. We have assigned the Hanoi Capital Command to advise on the establishment of the Civil Defense Command, in which the Hanoi Capital Command is the standing agency of the City Command. Departments and branches develop plans and scenarios for preventing, responding to, and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters according to their assigned functions and tasks. When a natural disaster occurs, the assigned departments and branches will activate the approved plans and plans. In addition, the city also requires a review of all forces, vehicles, and materials and updates data into the shared digital database system so that when a situation occurs, it can be mobilized immediately.

- What are the city's orientations to strengthen disaster prevention and control capacity at the grassroots level in the coming time, sir?

- In the immediate future, we will focus on completing a comprehensive digital database on natural disasters, such as flood maps, dikes, and evacuation maps; data on response forces, supplies, and equipment in each commune and ward. This is an effective management and operation tool in the context of the new government model.

Along with that, the city continues to organize training for grassroots cadres, support the construction of material warehouses according to the "4 on-site" motto, and at the same time propose the Central Government to invest in upgrading key works, drainage pumping stations, drainage canals, dykes and early warning systems to each household.

Thank you very much, comrade!

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/khong-de-dia-phuong-nao-trong-tran-dia-khi-thien-tai-xay-ra-710269.html