Focus on responding to the risk of heavy rain, landslides, flash floods and proactively preventing and combating natural disasters

In the first 6 months of 2025, the province experienced 13 natural disasters (5 severe cold spells; 9 heavy rains, hail accompanied by thunderstorms and tornadoes) causing damage to people, property and crops of the people in the province. In particular, from the beginning of May 2025 to now, the province has experienced 5 heavy rains, so the possibility of landslides and flash floods occurring when it rains is very high.

According to the forecast of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Lao Cai Hydro-Meteorological Station, from May 29 to June 2, there will be moderate rain, heavy rain, and very heavy rain in some places, with the risk of landslides, flash floods, and inundation in most localities in the province.

To proactively prevent and combat natural disasters, especially landslides, flash floods, inundation, etc.; ensure safety of life, minimize damage to people and property, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requests:

1. Heads of provincial departments, branches and sectors; Chairmen of People's Committees of districts, towns and cities, according to their assigned functions, tasks and authority, focus on directing, proactively inspecting, urging and promptly and effectively organizing the work of natural disaster prevention, control, rescue and relief in accordance with Official Dispatch No. 76/CD-TTg dated May 28, 2025 of the Prime Minister on focusing on responding to the risk of heavy rain, landslides, flash floods and proactively preventing and combating natural disasters in the coming time; not to be passive, surprised, not to be interrupted, neglected, or lose vigilance in the work of preventing and responding to natural disasters when arranging and perfecting the organization of the political system and rearranging administrative units and organizing local governments at 2 levels.

Organize and implement timely and effective prevention and response to natural disasters in accordance with Documents No. 2919/UBND-NLN dated May 22, 2025; Document No. 2973/UBND-NLN dated May 23, 2025; Document No. 3067/UBND-NLN dated May 27, 2025...

2. Chairmen of People's Committees of districts, towns and cities urgently review and develop plans to reorganize forces performing tasks of natural disaster prevention, control, rescue and relief at the commune level according to the guidance of competent authorities, and at the same time, in accordance with the actual conditions of the locality to ensure smooth, effective and efficient operations from July 1, 2025 (after the district level ends its operations).

Review and complete response plans for each type of natural disaster occurring in the area, especially plans to respond to heavy rain, landslides, flash floods, storms, floods, etc.; focus on immediately overcoming risks identified through Typhoon Yagi in 2024; develop response scenarios, protect key points, and avoid being passive or surprised when situations arise.

Organize a 24/7 on-duty shift, do not interrupt or neglect the duty shift when arranging and perfecting the organization of the political system and rearranging administrative units and local government organizations at 2 levels; strictly implement the reporting regime, and promptly report by phone to the Department of Agriculture and Environment for synthesis, reporting, and proposing to the Provincial People's Committee for direction; provide information on the district and commune-level on-duty phone numbers to the Department of Agriculture and Environment...

Be responsible to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for directing the work of natural disaster prevention, control, rescue and relief in the area; direct relevant agencies and units (especially the current Chairman of the Commune People's Committee) to continue to closely monitor the situation, seriously, promptly and effectively implement the work of natural disaster prevention, control, rescue and relief in the area according to the motto "four on-site" with a proactive, timely, drastic spirit, in accordance with local reality, with the goal of ensuring the safety of people's lives above all, first of all. Absolutely do not be negligent, subjective, lose vigilance, do not let interruptions or negligence occur in directing the prevention and response to natural disasters when rearranging administrative units and organizing local governments at 2 levels.

3. The Department of Agriculture and Environment directs localities to review, update, and complete disaster prevention and control plans, ensuring they are suitable for the specific situation of the locality and the operations of local authorities at two levels; review plans to ensure the safety of dams, canals, and plans to prevent flash floods and landslides to be ready to respond to all rain and flood situations.

Urge the district and commune levels to be ready to organize the evacuation and relocation of people living in areas at risk of landslides, flash floods, etc. to safe places; organize a 24/7 on-duty team, especially on days of heavy rain and natural disasters, it is necessary to increase the assignment of on-duty teams to ensure prevention and response work; closely monitor all weather developments, and promptly report any natural disaster damage to the Provincial People's Committee.

The road from the center of Ta Van commune to Seo My Ty village (Ta Van - Sa Pa) was severely damaged by floods. Photo: PV

4. The Provincial Military Command coordinates with the Department of Agriculture and Environment, relevant agencies and units to guide localities to perfect agencies performing the tasks of natural disaster prevention, control and search and rescue in accordance with the Law on Civil Defense, the Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and the organization of two-level local authorities; directs forces stationed in the area to review, develop plans, proactively mobilize forces and means to coordinate with localities and relevant forces to deploy natural disaster response, search and rescue, and coordinate to quickly overcome the consequences of natural disasters.

5. The provincial police direct local police, especially commune-level police, to develop plans and proactively deploy support for people to prevent, combat, and overcome consequences of incidents and natural disasters, search and rescue; arrange forces to direct traffic and guide traffic in disaster-stricken areas, especially areas with bridges, overflow tunnels, landslides, subsidence, landslides, etc.

6. The Department of Industry and Trade directs the assurance of electricity supply, deploys necessary measures to proactively ensure safety for hydroelectric dams; focuses on immediately overcoming risks identified through Typhoon Yagi in 2024 for the power transmission system and hydroelectric dams; uses water resources economically and effectively for power generation during peak hot months.

7. The Department of Construction directs the review and implementation of plans to ensure traffic safety and traffic infrastructure and construction works in case of natural disasters; promptly repair landslides and traffic routes that have been cut off, ensuring smooth traffic, especially national and provincial highways.

8. Lao Cai Newspaper coordinates with relevant agencies to direct the strengthening of communication work, raising awareness, providing guidance on disaster prevention and control skills, especially flash floods and landslides for the people; updating information, reporting promptly and accurately when incidents and natural disasters occur so that people know and proactively respond appropriately.

9. The Hydrometeorological Station regularly and closely monitors the weather situation, promptly issues forecasts and warnings of natural disasters, and provides information to the Department of Science and Technology, Lao Cai Newspaper, Department of Agriculture and Environment, and relevant agencies to promptly inform the direction of prevention and response to heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and proactively prevent and combat natural disasters in the coming time.

10. The departments, branches and sectors that are members of the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue shall direct the localities assigned to be in charge according to Decision No. 1072/QD-UBND dated April 9, 2025 of the Provincial People's Committee on consolidating and assigning tasks of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of Lao Cai province; Decision No. 3928/QD-UBND dated November 5, 2021 of the Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee on promulgating the Regulations on the operation of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of Lao Cai province. Deploy and effectively implement the plan to respond to natural disasters according to the level of natural disaster risk in 2025 issued by the Provincial People's Committee in Decision No. 1419/QD-UBND dated May 6, 2025 to respond to heavy rains, landslides, flash floods and proactively prevent and combat natural disasters in the coming time.

Based on the direction of the telegram, the provincial departments, branches and sectors; Chairmen of People's Committees of districts, towns and cities and related units are requested to seriously deploy and implement.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/tap-trung-ung-pho-voi-nguy-co-mua-lon-sat-lo-dat-lu-ong-lu-quet-va-chu-dong-phong-chong-thien-tai-post402521.html