Network operators struggle to maintain 'waves' during severe floods in Hue and Da Nang

In late October, the central region of Vietnam experienced a historic flood, severely impacting the lives of people in Hue and Da Nang cities.

In response to this situation, telecommunications providers promptly activated disaster prevention and emergency response plans, mobilizing personnel and resources to ensure the safety of telecommunications infrastructure and maintain uninterrupted communication for people in the affected areas.

According to the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting, at 2:00 AM on October 30th, the Thu Bon River at Cau Lau station (Da Nang City) reached 5.62m, 1.62m above alarm level three and approximately 0.12m above the historical level of 1964. The Vietnamese disaster monitoring system reported that at 6:00 AM today, October 30th, the Huong River at Kim Long ( Hue ) was 3.89m, 0.39m above alarm level three; and the Bo River at Phu Oc was 4.48m, 0.02m below alarm level three.

MobiFone continues to closely monitor the response to the floods in Central Vietnam. (Photo: MobiFone)

Given the complex developments of the floods, from the morning of October 28th, the task force of the Flood and Storm Prevention Command Center of MobiFone Central Network quickly moved from Da Nang to Hue to organize rescue efforts, inspect, coordinate, and direct the work of ensuring communication in the area.

At the same time, the Center continues to coordinate closely with relevant units to promptly address areas affected by signal loss, maintaining the safety and quality of the network to serve people in the area.

MobiFone continues to closely monitor the response to the floods in Central Vietnam. In Hue and Da Nang, many MobiFone stores and branches have temporarily suspended operations due to severe flooding, but all staff members have proactively elevated assets, equipment, and documents to ensure the safety of people and property.

The team of technicians, tellers, and logistics personnel remain on-site, ready to coordinate rescue efforts and restore services when weather conditions permit.

In parallel with protecting infrastructure and ensuring information security, MobiFone also closely coordinates with relevant agencies to proactively send warning messages and guidance on skills to prevent and respond to storms, flash floods, and inundation to people in high-risk areas, contributing to raising community awareness and minimizing risks and damage caused by natural disasters.

MobiFone employees at hotspots are working day and night to maintain secure connections and ensure stable communication. (Photo: MobiFone)

Throughout the period of heavy rain and flooding, the updating, reporting of the situation, and response management were carried out continuously, with seamless communication between the Corporation and units in the area via online systems to ensure the fastest response to any unusual situations.

To date, MobiFone's staff and employees at the hotspots are still working day and night to maintain secure connections and ensure stable communication to serve the government, rescue forces, and people in the storm-affected areas, effectively supporting the operational and command work of relevant agencies.

Meanwhile, a representative from Viettel Telecom stated that, thanks to the decisive implementation of response measures, Viettel's network signal is being maintained stably, serving the government's flood control and management efforts and meeting the communication needs of people in Hue and Da Nang.

Amidst severe flooding that caused deep inundation and isolated many areas, Viettel units in Da Nang and Hue demonstrated the spirit of "network is paramount," proactively deploying rescue efforts to ensure uninterrupted telecommunications services.

In addition to the on-site technical team on duty 24/7, Viettel Telecom also deployed personnel from neighboring provinces to support Hue and Da Nang in transporting fuel, equipment, and batteries to "restore signal."

Viettel's technical team is accessing deeply flooded areas in Da Nang to provide communication support. (Photo: Viettel)

"Currently, Viettel's signal remains stable in 40 communes and wards throughout Hue City. All Viettel BTS stations are operating stably, with technical staff on duty 24/7 and fuel reserves ensuring infrastructure operation while the floodwaters remain," said Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huy Quang, Director of Viettel Hue City.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Vu Tra My, Director of Viettel Da Nang, said that they have been closely coordinating with the City Military Command, borrowing boats to transport fuel, generators, and technical personnel to isolated BTS stations.

Many technical staff braved the raging floodwaters to directly address the problems, maintain the base station, and ensure communication for areas cut off. Thanks to their efforts, the Viettel network in Da Nang remained stable amidst the severe flooding.

In addition, to help people stay connected during natural disasters, all Viettel stores, post offices, and supermarkets in Hue and Da Nang cities are open, providing free phone charging/charging services for the public. Viettel's network also offers roaming so that customers of other networks can use it for communication when needed.

According to a representative from VNPT, many areas in Da Nang, Quang Ngai, and Hue are still experiencing widespread power outages.

Fiber optic cables along the Ho Chi Minh Trail have experienced multiple breaks in several sections, including the Da Nang-Phuoc Son, Phuoc Son-Dak To, and Hien-A Luoi routes.

A representative from VNPT stated that they are urgently and closely monitoring the flood situation, with the intention of restoring the network as soon as the floodwaters recede. (Photo: VNPT)

VNPT stated that it has basically repaired most of the damaged areas and is continuing to address the issues. The network operator is also running generators at mobile base stations to ensure the best possible communication network. However, many areas remain deeply flooded and affected by landslides, making rescue efforts in some locations extremely difficult. A VNPT representative said they are urgently monitoring the flood situation closely, with the goal of restoring the network as soon as the floodwaters recede.

Comment (0)