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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivering directives at the meeting |
At the meeting point in Hue City were Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha; Central Party Committee Member and Party Secretary Nguyen Dinh Trung; Vice Secretary and Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee Phan Thien Dinh; Vice Secretary of Hue City People’s Committee Nguyen Chi Tai; and leaders of relevant departments and agencies.
Historic flooding across Central Vietnam - many areas cut off
According to rapid reports, 7 people have died, 6 are missing, and 14 are injured throughout the Central Region. Numerous roads have been eroded and cut off, while authorities are working urgently to restore traffic through. The health sector is focusing on treating patients, evacuating those from deep-flooded areas, and preparing medicine and medical supplies to prevent post-flood disease outbreaks.
Representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment reported that since October 22nd, the region has experienced extraordinarily heavy and widespread rainfall - with October 27th marking the highest recorded rainfall in Vietnam. The prolonged heavy rain has caused historic floods on the Bo and Perfume Rivers (Hue City) and the Vu Gia and Thu Bon Rivers (Da Nang), submerging and isolating many residential areas. Most reservoirs are now full, and the risk of further flooding and landslides remains extremely high.
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| At the meeting point in Hue City |
The ministry of Agriculture and Environment urged localities to strictly implement Directive No. 203 from the Prime Minister, focusing on reviewing and evacuating residents from high-risk and deeply flooded areas; ensuring the safety of dams, electrical systems, telecommunications, and transportation networks; and rapidly repairing damage, cleaning up the environment, and preparing to resume production once the water recedes.
At the meeting point in Hue City, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha noted that the Government’s working group had directly inspected the situation in Hue City. Thanks to early methodical forecasting, and directives, the province’s flood response efforts were effectively executed, ensuring public safety.
Although 32 out of 40 wards and communes in Hue City were flooded, local authorities and residents upheld the “four-on-the-spot” principle - on-the-spot command, manpower, materials, and logistics - to proactively relocate residents, conduct rescues, and provide timely assistance. Water levels in Hue City are now gradually receding, but heavy rains persist, requiring vigilance against possible incidents in mountainous and highland areas.
Hue City has also prepared detailed post-flood recovery plans, mobilizing boats and military vehicles to assist submerged zones and ensure adequate food, essential goods, disinfectants, and sanitation.
Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee Phan Thien Dinh proposed that the Government allocate funds to urgently stabilize residential areas along new expressways threatened by landslides, affecting roughly 400 households. He also requested investment in anti-erosion embankments in vulnerable areas and an increase of 1 more meter in Ta Trach Reservoir water level to enhance flood regulation capacity. He further recommended that the Government assign the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to expedite the O Lau Thuong Reservoir Project (on the border between Hue City and Quang Tri) to help mitigate flooding downstream.
Hue City also requested emergency supplies, including 2 tons of dry food, 10 tons of Chloramine B, 20 tons of Benkocid disinfectant chemicals, 2 tons of vegetable seeds, 5 tons of corn seeds, 50,000 doses of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine, 2 million doses of avian flu vaccine, 30 rescue boats (DT3, DT6), and 40 generators.
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| Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha speaking at the meeting |
The Government provides Hue City with 150 billion VND for initial disaster recovery efforts
In his directive speech at the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that this was a historic and complex flooding event. He noted that forecasting and early warning efforts had not been entirely accurate, so the Government had taken a proactive, early, and continuous approach, closely monitoring developments from the start. The Prime Minister stated that three urgent directives had already been issued and that Deputy Prime Ministers personally inspected and supervised the situation on-site. He stressed that command and coordination must remain clear and timely, with information and reporting being crucial factors that require special attention to ensure effective disaster response.
The Prime Minister commended the proactive and responsible spirit of Party committees and local authorities in their disaster prevention efforts. At the same time, he urged improvements in communication, reporting, and public information, ensuring that people are fully informed, remain vigilant, and not being subjective and passive. “Information must be organized so that people know, understand, and follow official guidance correctly. This is extremely important in disaster prevention and response,” emphasized Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
The head of the Government requested ministries, sectors, and localities to urgently assess the damage, visit and support affected families, treat the injured, and evacuate people from dangerous areas, especially those at risk of flash floods and landslides.
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| Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee Phan Thien Dinh presenting his recommendations at the meeting |
It is essential to ensure sufficient food, drinking water, and essential supplies for citizens, particularly in isolated areas. The Government has decided to provide emergency assistance to Hue City, including 2 tons of dry food and 150 billion VND to help with initial disaster recovery efforts.
The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of National Defense to mobilize vehicles and equipment to deliver and transport relief supplies, and directed the electricity and telecommunications sectors to rapidly restore systems so that people can access accurate and timely information.
Once the floodwaters recede, efforts must focus on recovery and restoration, ensuring that no one is left hungry, cold, or without shelter. Authorities should also reopen schools and medical stations, restore environmental sanitation, and resume production as soon as possible. Ministries and sectors must coordinate to implement tax, credit, and business support policies for individuals and enterprises affected by the disaster.
“No citizen shall be left behind. Any issues beyond the authority of ministries or localities must be reported to the Prime Minister for prompt resolution,” emphasized Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.