Son La proactively responds to natural disasters to facilitate the election.

The elections for the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term are fast approaching. To ensure the event proceeds safely and on schedule amidst potentially complex weather conditions, Son La province has proactively developed disaster response plans throughout the preparation and organization of the elections.

Báo Nhân dân•10/03/2026

Son La Power Company proactively developed contingency plans in case of complex weather conditions, ensuring electricity supply for election day.

According to the Son La Provincial Civil Defense Command, the objective of the plan is to ensure the absolute safety of the lives and health of voters and personnel on duty, while also protecting ballot boxes and election materials in all situations.

Up to this point, the province has also developed response scenarios to proactively handle adverse weather conditions, ensuring that natural disasters do not disrupt or affect the election process and procedures.

According to the Son La Provincial Meteorological and Hydrological Station, the weather in the area may experience complex patterns in the coming days. From now until March 20th, the average temperature will generally be close to the multi-year average; the total rainfall throughout the province is likely to be approximately 10-25mm higher than the multi-year average. During this period, there may be 1 to 2 widespread thunderstorms due to the impact of cold air combined with upper-level wind convergence.

Son La province organized working groups to inspect the preparations for the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and deputies to the People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term.

In mountainous areas such as Moc Chau, Van Ho, and Ta Xua, the cold air mass continues to be active, with the possibility of severe cold weather. Meanwhile, the southeastern region may experience light rain, drizzle, and fog, affecting visibility and transportation.

The meteorological agency also noted that during the transitional period between seasons, extreme weather phenomena such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, hail, strong gusts of wind, and localized heavy rainfall may occur. These localized heavy rainfalls pose a risk of flooding, flash floods, and landslides in areas with steep terrain and along rivers and streams, and may cause waterlogging in low-lying areas.

In response to these risks, the Son La Department of Agriculture and Environment has advised the Provincial People's Committee to develop a response plan based on five main groups of natural disaster risks.

Along with directing the development of disaster response plans throughout the election preparation and organization period, Son La province also successfully organized activities to connect voters with candidates during this time.

The scenarios include severe cold in mountainous areas; thunderstorms accompanied by tornadoes, lightning, hail, and strong gusts of wind; localized heavy rainfall with a risk of flash floods and landslides; prolonged light rain and fog; and localized heatwaves in low-lying areas and along rivers.

Mr. Le Sy Tuyen, Deputy Head of the Irrigation and Water Resources Sub-Department, Son La Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: Based on the scenarios developed, the province requires localities to proactively review the infrastructure conditions at polling stations, assess the level of safety, especially for areas near streams, embankments, or places where flash floods or landslides have previously occurred.

In the event that polling stations are deemed unsafe due to heavy rain or natural disasters, they must quickly relocate to a pre-prepared backup location. The movement of ballot boxes and election materials must be carried out according to proper procedures, ensuring transparency and openness so that the election can proceed continuously and safely.

At polling stations, in addition to posting complete voter lists and biographies of candidates for the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels, communes and wards have also developed plans to ensure that election day takes place safely and in accordance with regulations.

Comrade Nguyen Minh Tuan, Secretary of the Party Committee of Ngoc Chien commune, said: Along with the electoral units, the commune has also proactively developed a plan to organize mobile voting for areas at risk of being cut off or isolated due to heavy rain, flash floods, or landslides. The duty roster and monitoring of weather and natural disasters are maintained 24/7 during the peak period before and on election day.

The police, military, medical, electricity, and telecommunications forces were also assigned specific tasks to ensure security and order, maintain a stable power supply, ensure uninterrupted communication, and be ready to provide support when situations arise.

Mr. Tran Duy Trinh, Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of Son La Power Company, said: In order to ensure safe and continuous electricity supply for the election, especially when the weather is unpredictable, Son La Power Company has developed a detailed power supply plan and directed its subordinate units to proactively implement many technical solutions and organize the operation of the power system.

To date, Son La province has ensured that all conditions are met to serve the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and deputies to the People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term.

Currently, Son La Power Company has instructed its specialized departments and regional power management units to arrange appropriate power source and grid operation methods, ensuring safety and reliability in all situations, including complex weather conditions, prioritizing stable power supply to polling stations.

During the election period, the electricity sector will not carry out planned power outages on power lines and substations related to polling stations, except in cases of emergency.

In addition, units under Son La Power Company have intensified inspections of the power grid, promptly detecting and rectifying shortcomings and defects, especially at substations supplying power to polling areas; clearing vegetation along power line corridors, ensuring safe operation of the power system when weather conditions are complex.

Along with strengthening fire prevention and control inspections, the Son La Provincial Police have also developed plans to ensure security and order at polling stations in case of complex weather conditions.

Son La Power Company has also prepared sufficient spare parts, equipment, generators, fuel, and vehicles to handle emergencies; deployed a 24/7 on-call force, and ensured uninterrupted communication to promptly address any arising situations.

At this point, preparations for the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and representatives to the People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term in Son La are being urgently completed.

With proactive and thorough preparation from an early stage, Son La is now ready for election day, aiming to organize this important political event into a widespread democratic activity among the people, ensuring compliance with the law, safety, and positive results.

QUOC TUAN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/son-la-chu-dong-ung-pho-thien-tai-phuc-vu-bau-cu-post947490.html