Hanoi (VNA) – The Prime Minister has issued Directive 19/CT-TTgon preventive measures against flash floods and landslides, which have happenedfrequently recently in the northern and north central regions.

The directive noted that the recent natural disasters in Lao Cai, YenBai, Son La, Lai Chau, Hoa Binh and Nghe An have caused great losses in bothhuman lives and property, due to limited capacity in forecast and warning workas well as poor resistance capacity of local infrastructure. 

To be better prepared for flash floods and landslides, thus mitigatinglosses, the PM orders the Central Steering Committee on Natural DisasterControl, the National Committee for Search and Rescue, ministries, sectors andlocal administrations to strictly carry out the Government’s Resolution76/NQ-CP dated June 18, 2018 on natural prevention and control.

Accordingly, the Chairpersons of People’s Committees of provinces andcentrally-run cities are to allocate resources from the local budget, the fundfor natural disaster control and other legal sources to help local people settlethe consequences caused by flash floods and landslides in late 2017 and early2018. The focus should be on repairing houses and damaged transport,irrigation, medical and educational facilities, and helping affected people settledown in safe areas.

The directive noted that when rebuilding, schools should be ensured tobe resistant to natural disasters so that they can serve as shelter forresidents in surrounding areas in emergency.

Local administrations should inspect and define areas of high risk toflash floods and landslides, and put up warning signs to inform every hamlet,household, public facility, especially school and clinic.  

The PM also demands strict management of mining activities to prevent landslideor mine collapse at time of rains or floods. Measures should be taken to limitactivities that can increase the risk of flash flood and landslide such asdigging into mountains to build houses.

The Ministry of Agriculture andRural Development is asked to review safety work at irrigation dams andpreparations to respond to emergencies at dams, especially those of medium andsmall sizes managed by local administrations.

The Defence Ministry and Ministry of Public Security are required to getplans and forces ready to assist with response to natural disasters,particularly in evacuating people and assets, conducting search and rescue,delivering relief and aid, and ensuring security and social order, safety inany situation.

The Transport Ministry is instructed to prepare adequate humanresources, vehicles and materials in order to timely respond to transport breakdowncaused by natural disasters.

Last month alone, 22 people died and nine others went missing due toflash floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains in northernmountainous provinces.

Lai Chau province suffered theheaviest losses in humans with 16 residents being killed, followed by Ha Giang,with five dead persons and Quang Ninh with one deceased victim, reported theStanding Office of the Central Steering Committee for Natural DisasterPrevention and Control on June 27.

Total damage was estimated at 457.8 billion VND (around 19.5 millionUSD), including 122 billion VND in Ha Giang, 314 billion VND in Lai Chau andthe remainder in neighbouring provinces.-VNA