Directive No. 1263/CT-BNN-TCTL on Strengthening the Management of Dikes and Flood Prevention for the Year 2013

DIRECTIVE

Regarding the strengthening of dike management and preparation for dike guarding and flood prevention in 2013Flood prevention in 2013

In 2012, due to the impact of floods, incidents occurred on many dike sections, including dangerous incidents that threatened the safety of the dike system such as incidents on the left bank of the Chu River in Thanh Hoa Province, the right bank of the Hong River in Ha Nam Province, the left bank of the Thuong River in Bac Giang Province... In 2013, weather conditions may become complex. To be proactive in dike guarding, flood and storm prevention, and minimize losses caused by rain, floods, and storms to areas protected by dikes, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development requests the Chairpersons of People's Committees (PCs) of provinces and centrally-administered cities with concentrated dikes to direct the implementation of the following key tasks:

I. COMPLETION OF THE PLAN FOR REPAIRING, MAINTAINING AND PRESERVING DIKES AND RELATED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS UNDERWAY

1. Direct the strengthening of inspection, urging, identifying and promptly resolving difficulties and obstacles to accelerate the progress of completing repairs, upgrading dikes, maintaining and preserving them to prevent deterioration, ensuring quality, and timely putting the works into operation for flood prevention in 2013.

2. Mobilize local resources to proactively address sudden incidents during the flood and storm season, and repair additional necessary components to minimize incidents when there are floods and storms.

3. For construction projects related to dikes currently underway, the PCs of provinces shall direct the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development to coordinate with district-level PCs and relevant units to urge contractors to concentrate all resources to accelerate progress to complete before the flood and storm season and develop plans to ensure the safety of the works when there are floods and storms.

II. ENSURING THE SAFETY OF UNDERDIKE CULVERTS IN FLOODS AND STORMS

1. Organize inspections, reviews, and evaluations of the quality of underdike culverts to identify those that have exceeded their service life or are damaged, and develop plans for repairs, temporary or permanent closure. For weak culverts with approved protection plans, specific tasks must be assigned to proactively prepare conditions and implement these plans. For culverts that do not ensure safety, they must be closed before the 2013 flood and storm season, and proactive irrigation (or drainage) plans must be developed to reduce the impact of closing the culverts.

2. The use of underdike culverts during the flood season must strictly follow the procedures for opening and closing. For culverts without established procedures, the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development must develop and submit them for approval by competent authorities before the flood and storm season to apply immediately in 2013.

3. For underdike culverts not part of the agricultural water systems, the District or County PCs shall immediately designate personnel responsible for managing and operating them, and the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development shall organize training for managers on operational procedures to ensure they understand and comply with them.

4. For culverts managed by Water Resources Management and Exploitation Companies or located at inter-provincial or inter-district critical facilities, specific regulations and responsibilities must be assigned, and close cooperation between the units and localities must be maintained in implementing protection plans and handling incidents.

5. For newly constructed culverts that have not yet operated under high flood conditions or are still under construction (from various sources), and those that experienced incidents during previous floods, specific protection plans must be developed to proactively handle incidents if they occur.

III. PROACTIVE PREPARATION FOR DIKE GUARDING IN FLOODS AND STORMS

1. Direct the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development to coordinate with districts to conduct comprehensive inspections and evaluations of dike conditions, identify damages and unfavorable factors threatening dike safety, develop corresponding dike guarding plans for each section and key area according to the principle of "four at the site" (materials, logistics, forces, and command at the site); closely cooperate with military forces stationed in the area to prepare dike guarding plans and schedules.

2. Direct all levels of PCs, provincial departments and agencies to proactively implement measures to ensure dike safety, especially weak dike sections; prepare dike guarding plans for large and extreme floods and storms, particularly plans to prevent overtopping.

3. Based on the 2013 dike guarding plan, prepare sufficient quantities and types of materials for dike guarding for each section. In addition to existing state reserves, plans must be made to mobilize materials from the public in case of incidents (including materials and equipment from enterprises and agencies located in the area).

4. Before the minor flood season in 2013, organize dike guarding drills, inspect material, force, equipment, technical, command, and two-way communication preparations to promptly correct deficiencies and shortcomings. Train relevant forces participating in dike guarding, especially military forces deployed in the area, to complete by May 30, 2013.

Organize forces to strictly implement dike patrols and guard duties according to warning levels; regularly inspect and urge dike patrol and guard duties to promptly detect and resolve issues to ensure dike, embankment, and culvert safety; ensure smooth communication and timely reporting when incidents occur.

IV. DIKE MANAGEMENT WORK

1. Strengthen inspections and reviews of violations of dike laws in the locality. Take decisive measures to thoroughly resolve violations and prevent new ones. Violations must be handled strictly in accordance with the law. Direct inspections of compliance with permits issued by project sponsors for permitted works under the Law on Dikes.

2. All acts of encroachment on dike surfaces, slopes, and protective zones affecting dike safety and flood discharge capacity must be resolved by May 15, 2013.

3. Strictly implement Directive No. 447/CT-TTg dated March 25, 2011 of the Prime Minister on strengthening the handling of violations of laws related to dikes and management of sand and gravel exploitation, transportation, and business activities affecting the safety of dikes, as well as the guidance of Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai in Document No. 7248/VPCP-KTN dated September 20, 2012 of the Government Office.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development requests the Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities to strictly implement this Directive.