Official Telegram of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam on responding to rain, floods, landslides, and inundation

Official Telegram of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam on responding to rain, floods, landslides, and inundation​ (Image from the internet)

On June 10, 2024, the Civil Defense Steering Committee, Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam issued Official Telegram 3955/CD-PCTT on proactive responses to rain, floods, landslides, and inundation.

Official Telegram of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam on responding to rain, floods, landslides, and inundation

In execution of Official Telegram 03/CD-QG at 13:30 on June 10, 2024, from the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention - Office of the National Committee for Incident and Disaster Response and Search and Rescue, to proactively respond to rain and floods, minimizing the damage to life and property of the people; the Civil Defense Steering Committee, Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade requests the divisions in the Industry and Trade sector urgently implement the following content:

(1) Hydroelectric dam owners

- Closely monitor the developments of rain and floods. Strictly comply with the multi-reservoir operation process, standalone hydroelectric reservoir operation approved by the competent authority and strictly follow the operation orders of the National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention. Organize waste collection in the reservoir area, dam, and upstream of the dam. In the event of arising issues during operation, promptly report to the National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention to have appropriate management and operational directives.

- Organize self-inspection of dam safety, especially for the regulation works and equipment serving the flood discharge operation, promptly detect any damages, and take measures to ensure safety, sending the report results to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention.

- Inspect and review the quantity and operational status of monitoring systems serving operations and flood regulation, such as flood discharge monitoring cameras, automatic water level and flow measuring devices, and data connection transmission to local Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command Committees and the National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention.

- Review plans and measures to ensure safety for the works and downstream areas, especially communication systems, observation, and warning at dangerous areas (loudspeaker systems, sirens, lights, gauge post, signboards...) to promptly notify authorities and the affected populace during flood discharge, especially at night.

- Be ready with forces, vehicles, materials, and equipment to promptly handle situations, particularly incidents causing dam safety threats.

(2) Vietnam Electricity Group

- Direct power supply units to ensure safety and stability, especially for critical loads; ensure the safety of personnel and equipment at power works and public safety, and promptly restore the electrical system in case of an incident.

- Direct the owners of hydroelectric dams and reservoirs under management to review and inspect communication systems and flood warning markers; cooperate with functional agencies to implement measures to respond to rain and floods; promptly inform downstream before flood discharge to ensure people's safety and assets.

- Coordinate with the local Departments of Industry and Trade to direct and inspect the implementation of safety measures for reservoirs, especially weak dams, small hydroelectric plants, or those under construction or maintenance.

(3) Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group and mineral mining and processing facility owners:

- Direct mineral mining facilities to proactively inspect landslide and flood prevention works at mines; review and inspect waste tailings dams at mining sites, and deep mine lodes. Focus forces, equipment, and vehicles ready for rescue when disasters occur.

- Organize careful inspection and review of slopes, surroundings, and behind ongoing construction projects, warehouses, workshops, office buildings, operational buildings, mine sites, and waste dumps to detect landslide-prone risks and take promptly corrective measures.

(4) Other Groups and Corporations in the Industry and Trade sector

- Closely monitor the developments of rain and floods on mass media to promptly direct disaster prevention work at managed facilities, ensuring the safety of personnel and key works during prolonged rain and flood situations.

- Direct units to prepare resources, vehicles, and materials to promptly handle situations caused by rain and floods.

(5) Departments of Industry and Trade of provinces and cities

- Direct hydroelectric dam owners in the area to strictly implement approved reservoir operation processes, enhance operational inspections to ensure dam safety, especially weak dams, small hydroelectric plants, or those under construction or maintenance; ensure dam and downstream safety; work closely with local functional agencies for timely information and safety assurance for the populace, particularly in emergency flood discharge situations; enhance safety inspections for mineral exploration, exploitation, and the electrical grid system.

- Review areas potentially isolated by rain and floods to have specific plans ensuring the supply of essential goods.

- Ha Giang Department of Industry and Trade directs and inspects implementation of safety measures for reservoirs, hydroelectric plants in the province, especially those on the Lo River and Gam River.

Request Industry and Trade units to organize 24/7 duty, continuously monitor developments of rain and floods from the National Hydrometeorological Forecasting Center, ready forces and vehicles to respond to disaster situations, focus on directing and seriously implementing this Official Telegram, and regularly report information to the Standing Office for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Nguyen Ngoc Que Anh

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