Prevent and combat natural disasters during the rainy and stormy season, do not be negligent or subjective

Heavy rain at noon on May 5, 2025 with rainfall of 60.3mm, flooded Tran Viet Chau street (Ninh Kieu district, Can Tho city), affecting people's lives.

Impact of heavy rain…

From mid-April 2025 to now, Can Tho City has seen many seasonal and early-season rains, cooling the hot air. In particular, the heavy rain on May 5th lasted nearly 2 hours, cooling the hot air, watering rice fields and fruit gardens. However, the prolonged rain caused flooding on many roads and alleys in Ninh Kieu District - the center of Can Tho City. The reason is that many roads in the area are currently under construction; repairing, upgrading, and expanding the drainage system for wastewater, rainwater, and sidewalks... Some of the roads have not been completed, so flooding occurs when heavy rain occurs. In addition, some roads have narrow drainage systems, with garbage covering the manholes, obstructing the flow, causing flooding. The Steering Committee for Civil Defense - Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue (PTDS-PCTT&TKCN) of Can Tho City requested relevant units to speed up the implementation progress and complete the project soon to limit flooding caused by heavy rain.

According to the Southern Institute of Water Resources, the Mekong Delta is now entering the rainy season of 2025. Most localities in the region have experienced widespread rain, with rainfall ranging from 30-50mm, in some places up to more than 70mm. Some urban areas in the region were flooded due to rainfall of more than 70mm. Mr. Huynh Thanh Viet, Head of the Irrigation Sub-Department, Chief of Office of the Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue of Can Tho City, said: "Currently, the Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue in the area has been completed, and natural disaster prevention and search and rescue work has also been built in accordance with the characteristics and situation of each locality. The weather is entering the rainy season, localities in the area need to be on guard, instructing people on measures to limit the loss of roofs of houses and construction works affected by tornadoes, prevent being struck by lightning, especially limit working in the open fields when it is about to rain or storm...".

The Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Control and Search and Rescue of Can Tho City said that this is the beginning of the season, so rain is often accompanied by strong winds and whirlwinds, affecting people's houses and agricultural production. Therefore, response and prevention solutions need to be strictly implemented. In 2024, in Can Tho City, there will be 46 heavy rains accompanied by whirlwinds in Binh Thuy, O Mon, Thot Not districts, Co Do, Vinh Thanh, Thoi Lai and Phong Dien districts, killing 1 person, collapsing 28 houses, blowing off the roofs of 233 houses, causing property damage of about 5,618 billion VND. Notably, in 2024, the city experienced a hailstorm in 3 communes: Thanh Phu, Thoi Hung, Dong Hiep in Co Do district. The rain accompanied by whirlwinds caused damage to many houses in the area. Compared to the same period in many years, this is the first time hail has been recorded in Can Tho City... The City's Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue and other localities promptly mobilized forces and provided financial support to households affected by natural disasters to overcome the consequences.

Strengthening prevention and control solutions

To respond to natural disasters, limit damage to property and people's lives when thunderstorms appear, the City's Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue requests functional agencies and localities to organize support forces and provide guidance to ensure safe traffic for people and vehicles, especially in deeply flooded areas, areas where landslides have occurred or are at risk of landslides, resolutely not allowing people and vehicles to pass if safety is not ensured; not to let unfortunate human losses occur due to carelessness and subjectivity. Closely monitor warning and forecast bulletins; promptly and regularly notify and guide authorities at all levels and people to proactively prevent and minimize damage; deploy shock forces to inspect and review riverside residential areas and areas at high risk of landslides to proactively evacuate people when situations arise. Be ready with forces and means for rescue when requested. Be on duty seriously and regularly report to the City Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue when natural disasters occur...

Mr. Huynh Thanh Viet added that at this time, Can Tho City is also strengthening propaganda work, proactively responding to heavy rains accompanied by strong winds, tornadoes, riverbank landslides, etc. The Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue of Can Tho City requires localities to guide people to safely brace their houses to prevent rain accompanied by thunderstorms and tornadoes during the early rainy season and the change of seasons; trim trees on sidewalks and areas near houses to avoid thunderstorms causing trees to fall, endangering people and vehicles; check and reinforce landslide areas and areas at risk of landslides; clear sewers to limit flooding caused by heavy rains and garbage blocking drainage manholes; strengthen propaganda and remind parents not to let children bathe in the rain during the first rains of the season to avoid harmful effects if acid rain occurs...

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc He, Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee, Deputy Head of the City's Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue, directed: "At this time, the Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue at all levels has completed and deployed plans for natural disaster prevention and control. In the coming time, localities need to strictly implement the requirements of the City's Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue, especially proactively inspecting and reinforcing constructions, bracing houses (for level 4 houses, houses with corrugated iron roofs, and thatched walls) to avoid roofs being blown off or collapsing due to thunderstorms; organizing tree trimming on sidewalks and near houses to limit dangerous falls; propagating and mobilizing people not to work in open fields when thunderstorms and lightning occur...".

According to the Can Tho City Hydrometeorological Station, the 2025 rainy season in Can Tho City appeared earlier than the average of many years. In particular, in mid-April 2025, there were seasonal rains and in the second half of April, the southwest monsoon gradually stabilized, and rain appeared in large areas. The total rainfall in the 2025 rainy season was about 5-15% higher than the average. In particular, in March 2025, rain appeared with a total rainfall of 10-20mm, in some places higher than the average by 5-10mm; in April, the total rainfall was from 50-120mm (approximately compared to the average); in May, the total rainfall was from 150-250mm (approximately and higher than the average by 5-15%); June is the period of reduced rainfall, with total rainfall from 200-300mm (approximately and 5-10% higher than the average); July and August, total monthly rainfall is commonly 300-400mm (5-10% higher than the average). The period of reduced rainfall in the rainy season is likely to be around the first half of September 2025. Localities need to pay attention to prevent rain, strong thunderstorms with whirlwinds and lightning in the early rainy season and after periods of reduced rainfall in the middle of the rainy season.

Article and photos: HA VAN

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/phong-chong-thien-tai-trong-mua-mua-bao-khong-lo-la-chu-quan-a186392.html