Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha: Strengthen forecasting and proactively respond to multiple natural disasters after storm No. 12

On the afternoon of October 22, at the Government Headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee for Civil Defense, chaired a direct meeting, combined with online meetings with members of the Steering Committee, leaders of the People's Committees of several provinces and cities (Hue, Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Quang Tri, Ha Tinh) to deploy responses to storm No. 12 (storm FENGSHEN).

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha delivered a concluding speech at the meeting. Photo: Van Diep/VNA

Prepare a "survival bag" that can last for 3 days

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized that the developments of storm No. 12 show that natural disasters are still very complicated and extreme, while thinking and response methods still need to continue to be fundamentally innovated.

Emphasizing the importance of forecasting, especially clearly quantifying the factors affecting storms, rainfall, and flood risks in each locality and stage of the natural disaster, the Deputy Prime Minister requested localities to grasp the situation, update forecasts, and proactively develop appropriate response plans before, during, and after storms, especially in cases of extremely heavy rain (800-900 mm, in some places 400 mm in 3 hours).

At the same time, forecasting units must pay attention, especially in situations where storms overlap storms and floods overlap floods, which are very difficult to forecast and extremely complicated.

Appreciating the sense of responsibility and efforts of central and local forces in preventing, combating and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters and floods, especially since September, the Deputy Prime Minister requested hydrometeorological stations to continue improving their forecasting and early warning capacity. "Central and local stations must operate in unison, issuing forecasts that are close to the reality of each area, detailing each sea dyke, river dyke, reservoir, and area at risk of flash floods, landslides. Forecasts cover the time before, during and after the storm, serving as a basis for decisions on direction and management," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

With two long periods of heavy rain forecast, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the area affected by storm No. 12 will face a multi-disaster situation due to rising river and lake water levels, saturated land, and the risk of floods, landslides, and urban flooding. Therefore, localities should assess and prepare for the most extreme scenarios of 2020 and 2022 to develop a comprehensive prevention and control plan, with a "combat map", clearly identifying the level of natural disasters, risk areas, responsible persons, and command plans.

"The government and people must prepare thoroughly and effectively implement the "four on-the-spot" motto. Each household needs a "survival bag" containing water, food, medicine, dry clothes, etc., enough for three days when isolated. Localities must equip themselves with suitable mobile vehicles such as canoes and rubber boats to proactively rescue in all situations," the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha delivered a concluding speech at the meeting. Photo: Van Diep/VNA

Risk of widespread flooding from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai

Previously, reporting at the meeting, Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Mai Van Khiem said that it is forecast that in the afternoon of October 22, the storm will move into the coastal area from Hue city, Quang Ngai province, and its intensity will continue to weaken to level 8.

On the night of October 22 and the morning of October 23, the storm weakened into a tropical depression, moving inland to Hue city and Quang Ngai province. On the morning and afternoon of October 23, the storm moved to the southern Laos region, weakening into a low pressure area.

From noon on October 22 to October 27, the area from Ha Tinh to Quang Ngai will have heavy rain, locally very heavy rain with rainfall in the area from South Quang Tri to Da Nang city generally 500-700 mm/period, locally over 900 mm/period. The area from Ha Tinh to North Quang Tri and Quang Ngai will generally have 200-400 mm/period, locally over 500 mm/period. Warning of heavy rain (>200 mm/3 hours).

There is a risk of widespread flooding from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai and a high risk of flash floods on rivers and streams and landslides on steep slopes in mountainous areas from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai provinces.

It is forecasted that heavy rains will cause flooding in 40 communes/wards of Quang Tri province; 30 communes/wards of Hue city; 27 communes/wards of Da Nang city; and 35 communes and wards of Quang Ngai province.

The meteorological and hydrological forecasting agency has updated the map of flash flood and landslide risks in Quang Tri (41 communes/wards); Hue city (14 communes/wards); Da Nang city (31 communes/wards); Quang Ngai (31 communes/wards). The Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has coordinated with network operators to send millions of text messages warning of heavy rain, floods, flash floods, and landslides to people in provinces and cities from Ha Tinh to Gia Lai.

The Civil Defense Command of Hue City, Da Nang City, Quang Ngai Province, and the Irrigation Investment and Construction Management Board 5 have directed and operated the inter-reservoirs in the Huong River, Vu Gia - Thu Bon River, and Tra Khuc River basins to increase discharge flow to reserve capacity to reduce flooding downstream. The total capacity of the inter-reservoirs in the Huong River basin is about 581 million m3; the Vu Gia - Thu Bon River basin is 444 million m3; and the Tra Khuc River basin is 182 million m3. The capacity of the irrigation reservoirs in the North Central region is 78 - 94%; the capacity of the South Central region is 66 - 80% of the design level. The sea dykes and river estuaries from Ha Tinh to Dak Lak have 38 key and vulnerable locations.

Up to now, the border guards have notified, counted, and guided 67,937 vehicles/291,864 workers to proactively move around and escape from the dangerous area. Hue city, Da Nang city, and Quang Ngai province have banned the sea.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha delivered a concluding speech at the meeting. Photo: Van Diep/VNA

Hydroelectric reservoirs must be closely monitored, flood discharge and flood control must be timely.

Speaking at the meeting, Lieutenant General Le Quang Dao, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, said that so far, the entire army has deployed 262,636 officers and soldiers and 6,028 vehicles in areas under Military Regions 4, 5, 7, 9 and Army Corps 34. In addition, other forces such as the Air Defense - Air Force, Border Guard, Coast Guard and Army Corps 18 have mobilized more than 11,000 officers and soldiers and more than 1,000 vehicles ready to respond.

"The Ministry of National Defense requests that units continue to coordinate with local civil defense steering committees to review areas at risk of landslides, flash floods, and isolation to develop plans to ensure the safety of lives and property of the State and people," said Lieutenant General Le Quang Dao.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep added that there will be two heavy rains during and after storm No. 12. The first period will be from October 22 to 24, focusing from Quang Tri to Da Nang city, with heavy rain in Da Nang and Hue. The second period will be from October 25 to 27, focusing on Quang Tri and Hue city.

Notably, there is forecast to be widespread flooding in Quang Tri province, Hue city and Da Nang, equivalent to 2020. In Da Nang city alone, the flood level will be equivalent to around 2022, higher than 2020 due to heavy rain combined with high tides. National Highway 1 and the North-South railway are likely to be flooded, causing disruption, so it is necessary to calculate a long-distance traffic diversion plan. The mountainous areas of Quang Tri, Hue city and Da Nang are at high risk of flash floods, landslides, and traffic disruption...

Delegates attend a meeting to deploy response work to storm No. 12 (Fengshen storm) and after the storm. Photo: Van Diep/VNA

After listening to representatives of the People's Committees of Hue City, Da Nang City and Quang Tri Province speak online at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha noted that the People's Committee of Hue City needs to pay more attention to the risk of landslides in mountainous and highland areas, update maps and appropriate response scenarios. Irrigation and hydroelectric reservoirs must be closely monitored, flood discharge and flood control must be carried out at the right time, ensuring the highest safety for the people.

The People's Committee of Quang Tri province has stepped up inspection and timely discharge of water from hydroelectric reservoirs to ensure people's safety and avoid the situation of overlapping floods. The Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to coordinate with the People's Committee of Quang Tri province to check water levels and assess the flood-cutting capacity of reservoirs in the area.

The People's Committee of Da Nang City has reviewed sea dike areas that have been affected by waves in recent days, and continues to monitor high tides and heavy rains to respond promptly and ensure people's safety...

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/chinh-phu-voi-nguoi-dan/pho-thu-tuong-tran-hong-ha-tang-cuong-du-bao-chu-dong-ung-pho-da-thien-tai-sau-bao-so-12-20251022140954404.htm