Hanoi (VNS/VNA) — The Central Steering Committee for Natural DisasterPrevention and Control has asked ministries, sectors and local governments toprepare for flooding as a result of heavy downpours in the northern regionin the coming days.
Concernedagencies were told to conduct a comprehensive inspection of supplies,equipment and human resources to deal with natural disasters, as well asto carefully check the dyke systems in the region.
Torespond to torrential rains in mountainous and delta regions, the committee’sdeputy head Tran Quang Hoai requested the National Centre forHydro-meteorological Forecasting to regularly provide weather updates within-depth observations for the public.
TheIrrigation General Department was asked to provide materials on naturaldisaster preparedness for the committee to execute natural disaster preventionwork.
Allfish-breeding cages have been moved out of the downstream of Hoa Binh HydropowerReservoir and the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant has set up plans foremergency discharge if necessary.
TheVietnam Disaster Management Authority (under the Ministry of Agriculture andRural Development) was tasked with preparing appropriate means and equipmentfor access to areas affected by flash floods and landslide.
Thecommittee will work with the Ministry of Health and local governments to set upevacuation plans.
TheMinistry of Industry and Commerce was told to give safety warnings aboutmineral exploitation in areas at high risk of landslides and mine collapses.
Localadministrations have to update the weather situation to the committee and theState Committee for Incidents and Disaster Response, and Search and Rescue.
MaiVan Khiem, director of the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting,said from June 25 to July 1, the water levels in hydro-meteorologicalstations in China tended to change slowly as they were affected by upstreamhydropower reservoirs.
Therewere no floods and the daily average rainfall was 10-30mm, he said.
Meanwhile,water levels in the Hong (Red) and Thai Binh rivers in northern Vietnamremain low and changing slowly./.