Vietnam Braces for Heavy Rains and Landslides as Government Issues Urgent Warnings

Heavy rainfall is forecast from the afternoon of September 21st, with precipitation expected to reach 120-250mm, and locally exceeding 400mm, in areas from Gia Lai province in the Central Highlands to the South. This raises concerns of deep flooding and landslides. Earlier, on September 18th, Ho Chi Minh City experienced street flooding due to intense downpours. On September 21st, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung signed an urgent directive from the Prime Minister to ministries, agencies, and provincial cities, calling for proactive response and mitigation of flood consequences. The directive notes that recent days have seen prolonged and widespread heavy rains, particularly in the North and North Central regions, causing major floods on some rivers and severe inundation in riverside areas, low-lying regions, and urban centers. Flooding, landslides, and traffic disruptions have isolated some residential areas, significantly impacting people's lives. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, rainfall has resulted in 3 deaths, 8 collapsed houses, 111 damaged houses, and nearly 20,000 flooded homes. Over 5,000 houses in Hanoi and Ninh Binh remain submerged. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting predicts a complex disaster situation ahead, with continued flooding in low-lying and riverside areas of Hanoi and Ninh Binh. From September 21st to 24th, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong provinces, and the Southern region may experience heavy rainfall of 120-250mm, with localized areas exceeding 400mm, leading to deep flooding and landslides. The Mekong River may also rise to Alert Level 1. To proactively respond and ensure the safety of lives and property, the Prime Minister has instructed provincial People's Committee chairpersons, especially in affected areas like Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Lam Dong, to mobilize resources for timely support of food and necessities to residents in deeply flooded and isolated areas, strictly preventing starvation. Authorities are to continue reviewing and inspecting, promptly identifying risks, issuing warnings, and organizing the evacuation of residents, particularly the elderly, children, and vulnerable groups, from areas prone to deep flooding, landslides, flash floods, and debris flows. Provinces are also tasked with implementing urban flood prevention measures, ensuring the safety of dykes, dams, and embankments, and preparing resources for evacuation and rescue operations. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in coordination with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and local authorities, is directed to ensure scientific and safe operation of irrigation and hydropower reservoirs to help reduce downstream flooding. Simultaneously, proactive water storage at the end of the rainy season is encouraged to serve production and daily life, especially given the potential impact of a strong El Niño. The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security are to proactively deploy forces and equipment in key high-risk areas to support evacuation, relocation, and rescue efforts at the request of local authorities. The Prime Minister also highlighted the need for the Ministries of Construction and Education and Training to direct and guide measures to ensure the safety of students and teachers, and to minimize damage to facilities and equipment in flooded areas. Ensuring traffic safety and rapidly repairing damaged transport routes, especially major arteries, are also emphasized. Vietnam is already experiencing the effects of El Niño, which is expected to intensify in the coming months, increasing the risk of higher temperatures, heatwaves, drought, and water shortages, particularly during the dry season. Source: The Saigon Times