Grassroots radio - the "frontline" of information contributing to reducing natural disaster risks - Cao Bang Electronic Newspaper

In the last days of September and early October, prolonged heavy rains due to the impact of storm No. 10 caused many areas of the province to fall into a state of serious flooding, many hamlets and residential groups were isolated. In such an emergency, the grassroots broadcasting system continued to play the role of an important "bridge", promptly transmitting the direction of authorities at all levels, forecast information, and natural disaster warnings to every hamlet, village, and household, helping people to proactively respond, minimizing damage to people and property.

The announcer directly broadcasts disaster warnings and directs prevention and control from the central to local levels.

On the night of September 29 and early morning of September 30 in the central area, announcer Nguyen Thi Thuan, from the Thuc Phan Ward Cultural and Communication Center, was in charge of broadcasting for the Thuc Phan, Nung Tri Cao, and Tan Giang wards. When the Bang River rose high, flooding many central roads and deep into people's houses, Ms. Thuan's continuous news broadcasts helped people grasp the situation and move in time. Many households were thus able to avoid heavy damage. There were times when the water rose rapidly in just a few dozen minutes, turning the streets into rivers. Without the loudspeakers reminding and guiding, many households would have been passive and confused in moving.

At the same time, when it was raining heavily, the wind was strong, and the river water was rising, announcer Duong Hoang Lan, the Cultural and Communication Center of Hoa An commune, directly made warning radio broadcasts according to the instructions from the Central to the local level, especially the urgent instructions from the commune government. Ms. Lan said: That day, the urgent situation forced us to broadcast continuously, 15 minutes each time, from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on September 29 and until the morning of September 30. The main content warned people in the hamlets to urgently evacuate the elderly, children, and essential assets to higher places to avoid the flood. At that time, the water rose very quickly, each house and each road was submerged in water, danger was imminent. The loudspeaker's sound echoed in the night like a wake-up call for people to act and respond promptly.

Installing loudspeaker systems in hamlets of Hoa An commune.

Currently, 100% of communes and wards in the province have radio stations and loudspeaker clusters, of which the broadcasting system applying information technology and telecommunications accounts for over 84%, with more than 681 smart speaker clusters applying IP technology installed in villages and hamlets. Thanks to that, the sound is clear, the coverage is wide, especially effective in warning of natural disasters and epidemics.

In fact, the loudspeaker system has become a "lifesaver" for people in floods. Mr. Nong Van Thuan, Na Teng hamlet, Hoa An commune, recounted: The hamlet has 155 households, more than 600 people. During the recent flood, the water was 1-2m deep, the deepest point was up to 3m, the whole hamlet was completely isolated. If there were no loudspeakers broadcasting warnings from the commune continuously, many families would not have had time to react. Thanks to the loudspeakers broadcasting updated information on weather and storm and flood prevention, people quickly moved the elderly, children, and evacuated their belongings to higher ground, greatly limiting damage.

In Hop Giang 2 residential group, Thuc Phan ward, there was also heavy damage. More than 160 households were deeply flooded, familiar roads turned into raging rivers overnight, carrying garbage, rotten wood, and even floating construction materials. Danger lurked with every step, many families had to rush to higher floors or to relatives' houses to avoid the flood. Ms. Vu Thi Thai Bang, Head of Hop Giang 2 residential group, shared: This year's floodwaters rose very quickly, people did not have time to react. In just a few hours, many houses were half submerged, furniture was severely damaged. We are most worried about households with elderly people, children, and poor health, unable to move on their own. In this situation, the continuous sound of loudspeakers helps us have more information, be more proactive in supporting and mobilizing people to come to the rescue in time.

Grassroots radio is an effective early warning system that contributes to disaster risk reduction.

Through the above stories, it can be seen that the broadcasting system has become the "front line" of information and propaganda work, ensuring the safety of people's lives and property in the face of natural disasters. In times of danger, the sound of loudspeakers echoing throughout villages and streets is not only a timely warning and guidance, but also a spiritual support, arousing community awareness, encouraging the spirit of solidarity, sharing, and helping each other overcome difficulties.

In the context of increasingly severe climate change and unpredictable natural disasters, the role of grassroots radio becomes more important and urgent. This is not only a means of transmitting information and direction from the Party, the State, and authorities at all levels, but also an "early warning system" that contributes to minimizing natural disaster risks, ensuring security and order, and maintaining social stability. Promoting the strength of the grassroots radio system is promoting the strength of the entire political system in protecting the safety and peace of the people.

The Hien

Source: https://baocaobang.vn/truyen-thanh-co-so-tuyen-dau-thong-tin-gop-phan-giam-thieu-rui-ro-thien-tai-3180893.html