Ninh Binh directs proactive response to, recovery from floods

Prolonged heavy rains in the last several days have caused flooding along several rivers and inundating low-lying areas, riverbanks and urban areas, severely affected to the lives of residents.

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warned that natural disasters could continue to develop in a complicated manner, with flooding in low-lying and riverside areas of Hanoi and Ninh Binh expected to persist.

Implementing the Prime Minister’s official dispatch, dated on September 21, Ninh Binh provincial people’s committee has sent a dispatch to urge sectors, branches, localities, member of theprovincial Steering Committee for Civil Defence to proactively respond to floods and promptly address their aftermath.

To ensure the safety of people and State property, the Prime Minister asked the Provincial Civil Defence Steering Committee, relevant departmentand local authorities to closely monitor developments and promptly implement appropriate response measures, particularly against floods, landslides and flash floods.

The chairpersons of the People’s Committees of localities were instructed to to closely monitor developments and promptly implement appropriate response measures, while minimising casualties and property losses and accelerating recovery efforts.

Local authorities must deploy personnel to guard and regulate traffic, strictly prevent people from crossing flooded areas, spillways or locations affected by or at risk of landslides, and ensure the safety of dykes, reservoirs and embankments. They must also stand ready for evacuations and search and rescue operations, provide timely assistance to affected families, and mobilise local resources to repair houses, clean up the environment, restore transport infrastructure and resume production and business activities as soon as possible, the dispatch said.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment was tasked with closely monitoring weather and flood developments, providing timely forecasts and warnings.

Mobilise personnel and equipment to reach isolated and deeply flooded areas and provide sufficient food and essential supplies to residents.

Providing finnancial support to affected households promtly while assisting them to repair, clean their houses, road; quickly restore damaged transport routes and essential infrastructure.

The Department of Health, Education and Training, and Construction were required to maintain essential healthcare services, prevent disease outbreaks, protect students and teachers.

The Department of Public Security was instructed to ensure traffic safety and security and order in disaster-hit areas and support rescue operations.