Efforts to strengthen the "disaster shield"

This year's flood season is entering its peak with many unpredictable developments due to the impact of climate change.

Not outside the affected area, Hanoi is proactively reviewing and strengthening the system of dykes, reservoirs, flood and storm prevention works, and at the same time strengthening on-site response forces.

Determined not to leave any positions vacant, Hanoi is urgently strengthening its "shield" for natural disaster prevention and control to ensure the safety of people's lives and property.

Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Dinh Hoa (5th from right) inspects the inner-city flood prevention project, Yen So Pumping Station.

Disaster prevention infrastructure warning

In early July, in many suburban areas of Hanoi such as Phu Nghia, Xuan Mai, Hoa Phu, Hong Son, Huong Son, My Duc..., the atmosphere of welcoming the establishment of new communes was still present on main roads and agency headquarters. However, when going deeper into each area, reporters of Hanoi Moi Newspaper recorded many existing concerns, especially at dike and irrigation works.

At the right dike of the Day River, a dike line of more than 10km long, with the task of preventing and fighting floods, protecting tens of thousands of households in communes such as Quang Bi and Hoa Phu, many new cracks have appeared, and the puddles on the dike surface are increasingly widening. This situation not only causes difficulties for people in moving around, potentially causing traffic accidents, but also makes the dike line weak and fragile when the river water level rises. And the left dike line of Bui, which often has to cope with floods from the forest, is in a similar situation.

Along with the dike system, many pumping stations for flood control such as Doc Tin, Phu Hien, An Phu, Phu Luu Te I..., which are responsible for draining water for the communes of Hong Son, My Duc, Huong Son, are also in a state of serious degradation. Some stations face the risk of ceasing operations or being washed away if there are prolonged heavy rains.

Notably, from July 1, the District-level Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control and Search and Rescue, the force that has played a core role in directing and operating natural disaster response for many years, has officially stopped operating according to the roadmap for restructuring the two-level local government apparatus.

Meanwhile, the new communes have just been merged from many old administrative units, have larger areas and larger populations, but have not yet had time to complete the Command Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control and Search and Rescue at the commune level. The assignment of responsibilities for dike protection and the allocation of materials and means are still open.

Concerns are growing as, according to the forecast of the Northern Hydrometeorological Station, from July 2025, Hanoi will have to face many extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain, flooding, and inundation... with increasing frequency and intensity.

The above situation shows that the "shield" for natural disaster prevention and control in the suburbs of Hanoi is revealing weaknesses in both technical infrastructure and organizational structure. If not reinforced and completed promptly, the risk of confusion and passivity when natural disasters occur is inevitable.

Located in an area directly affected by forest floods, people in Dong Dau village (Xuan Mai commune) are always worried about flooding every year.

Speaking to reporters of the Hanoi Moi Newspaper, Mr. Phung Xuan Toan said: “We were very excited when we learned that Hanoi City approved the project to renovate and upgrade the left and right dykes of Bui and Day. Officials from the Project Management Board of Construction Investment of Chuong My District have come many times to measure, survey and meet with the people. But for nearly ten years, the construction has not started. Every time there is heavy rain for a few days, the people are worried, so we hope the City will soon restart the project.”

Having supported workers of My Duc Irrigation Development Investment Enterprise to move the Phu Hien Pumping Station’s generator during the 2024 rainy season flood, Mr. Nguyen Van Tri (My Duc commune) expressed: “We really hope that all levels and sectors will soon invest in upgrading this pumping station. It is really inappropriate for a drainage station to be “drowned” because of flooding.”

In addition to concerns about damaged constructions that do not meet flood prevention and control requirements, many people in the above communes also expressed concerns about the organization and management of natural disaster prevention and control at the grassroots level.

Mr. Phung Xuan Luc (Phu Nghia commune) shared: “Previously, the Commune's Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command Board assigned very specific tasks: Who would be on duty at the dike, who would support the elderly and children when the flood season came. After the merger, the new staff were not familiar with the area, and the people were confused, not knowing who to contact when an incident occurred. I hope the locality will soon complete the Command Board, clearly assign people and tasks to be more proactive when natural disasters occur.”

Construction of emergency works to repair the left dike incident at Bui, Quang Bi commune section.

Racing against natural disasters

At the end of June, when the work of rearranging the two-level administrative apparatus was gradually completed, Hanoi also entered the peak of the rainy and stormy season. Faced with existing risks, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen requested the Chairmen of the People's Committees of newly established communes and wards to closely monitor weather developments and develop response scenarios for each level of natural disaster risk. Localities were directed to urgently mobilize resources to repair damaged structures, strengthen shock troops, and arrange adequate supplies and equipment; at the same time, organize training and drills according to new plans suitable for the post-merger areas.

The Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee also noted that departments, branches and localities need to pay special attention to high-risk areas such as areas that have experienced flooding, landslides, degraded dykes, damaged pumping stations... to proactively repair and prevent.

Implementing the City's direction, departments, branches and localities are urgently taking action to prepare for this year's flood season.

Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Dinh Hoa requested that irrigation companies quickly review, repair, and test-operate drainage pumping stations, and prepare materials and be ready to install field pumping stations when needed. The Department is also coordinating with localities to guide the development of disaster prevention and control plans suitable for newly expanded areas, and to organize training and drills according to plan.

Other departments and branches also actively carry out related tasks. The Department of Construction inspects the urban drainage system, assesses the safety of reservoirs, reviews key traffic routes that are easily cut off by floods to develop a regulation plan, ensure the safety of bridges and culverts, and the sign system.

The Department of Health develops a plan to prevent and control epidemics after natural disasters, and prepares medicines and essential medical supplies for high-risk areas.

The Department of Information and Communications promotes the dissemination of disaster prevention and avoidance skills on digital platforms, while ensuring smooth information flow in emergency situations. Police and military forces are also mobilized to be ready to participate in rescue and support the evacuation of residents when dangerous situations occur...

At the commune level, preparations are also being urgently implemented. Party Secretary and Chairman of the People's Council of Phu Nghia commune, Mr. Trinh Tien Tuong said: "We have assigned specialized agencies to complete plans and plans for natural disaster prevention and control; fully prepare materials, equipment and human resources. No later than July 15, all stages must be completed to be ready to respond to situations that may occur in the area."

Not relying on the government, many people in communes such as Suoi Hai, Hat Mon, Kieu Phu, Ung Thien... have proactively checked, reinforced houses, trimmed trees, prepared materials and are ready to join the locality in performing dike protection tasks. In villages and hamlets along the dikes, people are also assigned to monitor the dikes, promptly detect and alert when unusual incidents occur...

Maintaining the "shield" of natural disaster prevention and control is not only a technical matter, but also a political and moral responsibility. In the new context, Hanoi is determined not to leave any vacant positions or responsibilities. More importantly, this is the work of the whole society, with the spirit: "No one stands outside the front line against natural disasters".

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/no-luc-cung-co-la-chan-thien-tai-709018.html