Directive No. 288/TTg on flood and storm prevention and mitigation work for 1997

DIRECTIVE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

On flood and storm prevention and mitigation of natural disasters in 1997

Floods, storms, and natural disasters in 1996 caused thousands of deaths, destroyed crops, damaged houses, and destroyed public works, with severe consequences that will continue to require remediation for many years.

The unfavorable natural factors occurring more frequently, more severely, and affecting people's lives, health, production, and the operations of state agencies and social organizations have made flood and storm prevention and disaster mitigation extremely important tasks, a collective endeavor of the entire population. To proactively address floods, storms, and natural disasters in 1997, the Prime Minister directs all ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, and provincial and municipal people's committees under the central government to implement the following tasks effectively:

1. Organize the review of flood and storm prevention work in 1996, draw lessons from the preparation, response, and aftermath handling due to floods and storms; propose directions and tasks to promptly build or supplement plans for flood and storm prevention and disaster mitigation in 1997 in a practical, specific, coordinated, and appropriate manner for each region and sector, and coordinate actions effectively to proactively respond and minimize losses caused by natural disasters.

2. Strengthen and improve the organization of flood and storm prevention and control at all levels and sectors according to the spirit of Decree No. 168/HĐBT dated May 19, 1990 of the Council of Ministers to ensure effective operation.

Promote the dissemination of the implementation of the Law on Dikes; the Law on Flood and Storm Prevention and Mitigation, and Decree No. 32/CP dated May 20, 1996 of the Government.

3. Quickly address the aftermath caused by natural disasters in 1996, especially concerning the dike system and water conservancy and transportation works. Direct the completion of dike repairs before the flood season in 1997. In addition to approved plans, conduct thorough inspections and reviews; if weak sections of dikes, embankments, and culverts are found that cannot ensure safety against floods and storms in 1997, report to the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Mitigation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and simultaneously mobilize all local resources to handle the situation. Provinces with dikes must perform well the dike protection work according to the principle of four localities (local forces, local command, local materials, and local logistics) to ensure the safety of dike lines according to the design standards specified for each line. For river branch and backwater dike lines, actively prepare plans and schemes to protect residents and evacuate them when floods exceed the capacity of the dikes.

4. Areas often hit by flash floods, coastal erosion zones, and areas prone to deep flooding need to clearly identify households that need to be relocated from dangerous areas, proactively develop plans, and resolutely organize the relocation of residents to safe locations before the rainy and flood season.

Provinces in the deep-flooded areas of the Mekong Delta should learn from the flood prevention work in 1996, plan to proactively protect residents, harvest summer rice, gradually build infrastructure, reorganize living and housing arrangements for residents, and study the scheduling of primary school students' learning time according to Decision No. 99/TTg dated February 9, 1996 of the Prime Minister.

5. Local authorities and the transportation sector should cooperate with relevant sectors to plan to ensure traffic during the flood season, particularly on mountain routes, especially sections prone to landslides along rivers and mountains.

6. Strictly implement measures to ensure the safety of people and fishing vessels operating at sea according to Directive No. 30/TTg dated January 18, 1997, and organize search and rescue operations for people and fishing vessels in each area according to Decision No. 780/TTg dated October 23, 1996 of the Prime Minister.

7. Closely direct the operation of reservoirs (especially the Hoa Binh Reservoir) to ensure their safety and effectively participate in flood reduction downstream. Prepare the main works for dividing floods on the Day River and the backup plan for the flood division area to ensure readiness for flood division when necessary.

8. Ministries and central agencies, in addition to performing their own flood and storm prevention tasks, must prepare forces, equipment, and materials to participate in flood and storm prevention and disaster relief upon the directive of the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Mitigation and the Prime Minister.

The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security should arrange forces and equipment as the core to coordinate with the vanguard forces of various sectors and localities to participate in dike protection, flood fighting, and emergency rescue when natural disasters occur.

The Ministries of Health, Trade, Agriculture and Rural Development... must inspect and plan to ensure adequate reserves of medicines, supplies, and essential goods at localities to provide for the people when floods, storms, and natural disasters occur.

The General Department of Hydrology and Meteorology needs to evaluate, draw lessons, and immediately rectify shortcomings in weather, flood, and storm forecasting in 1996; organize timely and accurate monitoring, forecasting, and warning services to serve proactive command and guidance in flood and storm prevention and mitigation.

9. Enhance community education through mass media to raise awareness among the public and organizations about the dangers of natural disasters, self-preparation for prevention, and participation in organized prevention and aftermath handling to achieve the most effective results.

The Prime Minister requests all ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal people's committees under the central government to promptly organize and strictly implement this Directive according to their functions and responsibilities./.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

(Signed)


Tran Duc Luong