Secretary of Provincial Party Committee Tran Huy Tuan inspects flood response

During the inspection, Tuan visited Coc Thanh pumping station, which is responsible for draining water from more than 24,600 hectares of agricultural land in 16 communes and wards in the southern part of the province.

Prolonged heavy rains over recent days have caused large volumes of water to accumulate on farmland, in residential areas and across canal systems in Gia Phong and Gia Vien, among other localities. From September 14 to 11:00on September 17, average rainfall across the entire drainage system reached approximately 252.6 mm.

The pumping station is currently operating all seven pump units, each with a capacity of 32,000 cu.m. per hour. Maximum manpower has been mobilised, with officials and workers maintaining round-the-clock duty.

The delegation then inspected Lac Khoai spillway in Gia Phong commune.

At 15:00 on September 17, the water level on the river side of Lac Khoai spillway stood at 4.56 metres, 0.65 metres above alarm level III.

Data recorded at 13:00 the same day showed that the Hoang Long River water level at Ben De station was 4.55 metres, 0.55 metres above alarm level III, while the level at Gian Khau station reached 3.87 metres, 0.17 metres above alarm level III.

In Kenh Ga hamlet of Gia Vien commune, where rising water levels on the Hoang Long River are posing an increasing threat, flooding has affected the lives of more than 3,000 people, or around 600 households, living in residential areas outside the Hoang Long River dike.

As water levels continued to rise, local residents proactively moved people, property and essential belongings to higher ground.

Schools in the area have also been temporarily closed to ensure the safety of students and teachers.

Following the field inspection and assessment of the situation in localities and agencies, Tuan praised their proactive and serious implementation of measures to respond to heavy rains and flooding.

He asked localities and agencies to closely monitor developments in weather conditions, rainfall and flooding in order to promptly deploy appropriate response measures, stressing that they must not be caught off guard.

Relevant forces must maintain round-the-clock duty as required and mobilise maximum manpower, vehicles and equipment to be ready to address any incidents that may arise.

Irrigation works management companies were instructed to operate drainage systems effectively while ensuring the safety of hydraulic infrastructure.

Inspecting flooding in Gia Phong andGia Vien communes, and other areas affected by rising Hoang Long River levels, Tuan emphasised that protecting people's lives must be the top priority.

In areas at risk, preparations must be made immediately for the evacuation of residents, with early evacuation carried out wherever conditions permit, he said.

Pumping stations must operate at maximum capacity in a safe and coordinated manner, while dikes must be patrolled around the clock.

The province will promptly mobilise additional personnel and equipment to deal with emerging situations, while local authorities must maintain a high level of preparedness and avoid delays or complacency that could result in loss of life./.