Thanh Hoa Province Issues Alert Level 3 on Len River Amid Flood Concerns

Thanh Hoa Province, located in central Vietnam, has issued an alert level 3 for the Len River on September 17, following a forecast that water levels will reach the critical threshold. The provincial Civil Defense Command issued Directive No. 23/CĐ-PTDS, anticipating the Len River's water level at the Lèn hydrological station to rise to +6.00 meters between 2 PM and 5 PM on September 17. In response, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Civil Defense Command has directed the Chairpersons of the People's Committees of communes including Ha Trung, Tong Son, Linh Toai, Trieu Loc, Dong Thanh, Hoa Loc, Van Loc, Nga Thang, and Nga Son to continue dike patrols and protection according to the alert level. They are also instructed to inspect, review, and prepare to implement measures to ensure the safety of dike structures, especially vulnerable sections and cross-dike culverts. Proactive planning for the evacuation of residents living in riverside areas is also mandated. Furthermore, all relevant agencies are required to maintain strict 24-hour duty shifts, closely monitoring rainfall and flood developments to be ready to handle any situation from the outset. Timely information and reports must be submitted to the Provincial Natural Disaster Prevention and Control Office and the Provincial Civil Defense Command Standing Office. Vietnam, while experiencing economic growth under its one-party system, remains highly vulnerable to natural disasters like floods and typhoons due to its extensive low-lying and coastal areas. Recent years have seen an increase in damage from extreme weather events, attributed in part to climate change. The government is prioritizing infrastructure development and disaster preparedness, though challenges persist in rural evacuation and infrastructure resilience. The alert level increase on the Len River underscores the government's commitment to prioritizing resident safety and highlights the ongoing importance of Vietnam's disaster response capabilities. Source: Nhan Dan