Tam Thanh proactively prevents and combats natural disasters.

As a mountainous commune with a complex and fragmented terrain, Tam Thanh is frequently affected by natural disasters, especially floods and landslides. In response to the increasingly extreme effects of climate change, the commune government has been proactively implementing numerous disaster prevention and control measures to minimize damage and protect the safety of people and property.

Leaders of Tam Thanh commune, along with relevant authorities, went to the scene to direct efforts to mitigate the consequences of Typhoon No. 10 in 2025.

After establishing a two-tiered local government system, Tam Thanh commune proactively implemented disaster prevention and control measures according to the guidance of higher authorities, without waiting or relying on others. The commune government promptly reviewed and updated maps of areas at risk of landslides, flooding, and flash floods, while simultaneously developing detailed response plans for each disaster scenario. The commune's leaders and officials consistently demonstrated a high sense of responsibility and proactiveness in managing and responding to disasters, especially in implementing Government Decree 200/2025/ND-CP on consolidating the Civil Defense Command at the commune level.

According to Luong Van Phuc, Head of the Economic Department of the Tam Thanh Commune People's Committee: The two-tiered local government model has increased the speed of response to natural disasters and changed the mindset of service delivery. When the commune government directly receives instructions from the province, the thinking and responsibility of the commune officials have changed and become clearer. There is no longer the mentality of "waiting for district instructions"; each commune official must be proactive, flexible, and creative in responding on the spot.

The commune has built and strengthened its disaster prevention and control task force, with the militia as its core, gradually improving civilian capacity in responding to natural disasters at the grassroots level and effectively implementing the "four on-the-spot" principle. Rescue forces operate quickly, efficiently, and proactively, equipped with all necessary equipment for effective operation. Simultaneously, plans have been developed to evacuate households in vulnerable areas to safe locations, with public notification to enable proactive response.

Tam Thanh commune, a mountainous area, is characterized by its steep slopes and high flow rates of streams, with an average annual rainfall exceeding 1,900mm. Water levels often rise during heavy rains, causing landslides and localized traffic disruptions. In addition to regularly updating weather information and strictly implementing directives from the central and provincial authorities, the commune has proactively placed warning signs at locations prone to landslides and flash floods to enable residents and vehicles to take preventative measures. Strict command and control measures are in place, with officials assigned to the area to monitor the situation and directly supervise disaster prevention and mitigation efforts, assisting in evacuations. Medical supplies, equipment, and supplies are also proactively prepared and ready for emergency response.

The swift and decisive action of the commune government was also clearly demonstrated in its response to floods. Throughout the year, in the face of the complex developments of typhoons No. 5 and No. 10 and prolonged periods of heavy rain and flooding, the Tam Thanh Commune People's Committee implemented a comprehensive set of disaster prevention and control measures based on the principles of proactiveness, decisiveness, coordination, and timeliness, with a focus on protecting the lives and property of the people. During the floods, the commune organized 24/7 duty shifts, with 100% of the police and military forces on duty; working groups continuously monitored the area to support the people. During typhoon No. 5, with prolonged heavy rain, the commune suffered significant damage to infrastructure, especially educational facilities. The local government organized the emergency relocation of 106 households with 494 people in 8 villages to safe areas to prevent landslides. During Typhoon No. 10, when floodwaters rose, the commune proactively evacuated 120 households/533 people from high-risk areas, ensuring absolute safety and preventing any loss of life.

According to a review by the Commune People's Committee and the Civil Defense Command, after two major storms in 2025, the entire commune suffered severe damage to 3 main roads, 41 landslides, 8 infrastructure projects in the fields of transportation, irrigation, and education, 3 spillways damaged by floodwaters, over 990 meters of irrigation canals washed away or structurally damaged, and some school buildings completely destroyed by landslides. Immediately after the natural disaster, the Commune People's Committee mobilized emergency response forces and has now completed repairs to 3 roads, addressed 41 landslides, and repaired 12 damaged construction projects, ensuring smooth traffic flow. Urgent projects such as irrigation canals, schoolyards, and school walls have been gradually repaired to ensure safety. For other flood control structures such as the Ngam village spillway, the commune continues to maintain temporary safety measures while simultaneously implementing preparatory steps for permanent repair according to the plan; the remaining repair items are expected to be basically completed by early 2026.

In addition, the local government has always focused on disseminating information and educating the community about disaster prevention and control. As a result, people are becoming more proactive in monitoring information, preparing for and cooperating with the government in handling natural disasters. At the same time, regular training is provided to local information officers on skills for responding to incidents, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations in the community, aiming to minimize losses of life and property.

Chairman of Tam Thanh Commune People's Committee, Ha Van Toan, stated: “In the context of increasingly severe and unpredictable natural disasters, the commune has determined that proactive disaster prevention and control is not only an immediate task but also a long-term strategy linked to sustainable development, rural development, and climate change adaptation. The commune will continue to mobilize resources and strengthen the application of science and technology to improve the effectiveness of disaster risk prevention and control in the area. We will gradually build a locality safe from natural disasters, creating momentum to promote the construction of an effective and sustainable disaster prevention and early warning system, contributing to protecting the lives, property, and livelihoods of the people.”

Text and photos: Anh Tuan

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/tam-thanh-chu-dong-nbsp-phong-chong-thien-tai-275750.htm