MoNRE urges action to respond to flash floods and landslides

Landslides occur at Provincial Highway No 140 in the northern Điện Biên Province. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI —The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has instructed its subordinate units to urgently implement critical tasks to respond to the complex forecast of flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rain in the northern region through the end of next month.

In its official dispatch No 5398, sent to relevant authorities, the ministry has instructed the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHF) to enhance monitoring, closely track weather conditions, provide forecasts, and issue early warnings for natural disasters.

The dispatch specified that the NCHF should provide timely forecasts and detailed impact warnings for affected areas, including public infrastructure and socio-economic projects within the provinces, to disaster management agencies and the public. This will support disaster response, management and recovery efforts.

Additionally, the NCHF will collaborate with media units to increase awareness and ensure that up-to-date information on natural disasters is disseminated to locals.

The Department of Water Resources Management is responsible for overseeing the implementation of reservoir operation procedures and must coordinate with the NCHF to share reservoir operation data for disaster prevention efforts.

The Geological Department of Việt Nam should closely monitor geological hazards in disaster-affected areas and work with the NCHF to provide timely landslide warnings to agencies, units and the public.

The National Remote Sensing Department should cooperate with the NCHF to monitor and provide remote sensing imagery to support disaster prevention and recovery efforts.

The Environmental Pollution Control Department should work with local units to monitor environmental pollution in disaster-affected areas and assist local governments in proposing solutions for pollution management post-disaster.

The Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change is responsible for coordinating the provision of weather forecasts, storm alerts, heavy rain warnings, flash flood warnings and flood information. The Institute of Geology and Minerals should monitor, assess and forecast landslide risks and propose timely solutions to prevent and mitigate damage.

Mai Văn Khiêm, director of the NCHF, said that during the second half of August, the northern region may experience approximately two periods of moderate to heavy rainfall over a wide area.

Khiêm noted that from now until the end of September is the main rainy season in the northern region. This area should continue to face heavy rains, which could lead to flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas. Therefore, local authorities need to proactively and regularly review vulnerable points for flash floods and landslides to ensure public safety.

Khiêm also said that the northern region might experience a new thunderstorm, with the possibility of heavy rain in the northern mountainous areas in the next two days. During the latter half of August, the northern region could see about two periods of moderate to heavy widespread rain, with the heaviest rainfall likely occurring after August 20.

From now until September 10, the total rainfall is forecast to reach 200-320mm in Sơn La Province, 250-350mm in Việt Trì District in Phú Thọ Province, 320-420mm in Hải Phòng City and 300-400mm in Hà Nội’s Hà Đông District. — VNS