Deputy PM urges response as tropical depression likely to become storm

The statement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung at his meeting with the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, the National Committee for Response to Disasters and Search and Rescue, relevant ministries and agencies and 21 provinces from Quang Ninh to Binh Thuan and Central Highland region to discuss the response to the tropical depression which is likely to become a storm in Hanoi on August 1.

The Deputy PM asked the authorities of the sea and island areas to continue to review and tally boats and vehicles operating at sea as well as to closely manage offshore activities.

He also required the review of plan to evacuate and relocate people and the preparation of forces and means of transport to take measures to ensure the safety of people in dangerous areas, especially coastal areas, estuaries, and areas at risk from deep flooding, landslides and cages for agriculture. It is crucial to promote the plans to protect the production and prevent flooding for urban areas.

The relevant agencies need to review the mountainous and midland areas at high risk of flash floods, landslides and deep floods to properly evacuate and relocate residents from dangerous areas, added Deputy PM Dung.

He also asked for the safe operation of irrigation and hydroelectric reservoirs and the implementation of measures to ensure the safety for dams and reservoirs; as well as the proactive reserves for food and essential supplies in the areas at risk of prolonged separation due to flood.

The relevant agencies and units need to prepare the forces, vehicles and materials to overcome incidents and ensure smooth traffic on main routes, said the Deputy PM.