HCMC – The National Steering Committee for Civil Defense has urged northern provinces to take prompt measures to cope with heavy rain and flooding caused by the circulation of Storm Matmo, the 11th storm that has hit Vietnam this year.
From late October 6 to early October 7, northern provinces, including Thanh Hoa, experienced moderate to heavy rain, with some areas seeing extremely heavy rainfall. Thai Nguyen’s Hoa Thuong Station recorded 437.6 millimeters of rainfall, while Bac Ninh’s Bo Ha Station had 250.4 millimeters.
Water levels of the Cau, Thuong, and Luc Nam rivers, and rivers in Cao Bang and Lang Son, are forecast to rise above alert level 3 in the coming days, indicating risks of severe flooding. Rivers in Quang Ninh, Lao Cai, and Tuyen Quang may also exceed alert levels 1 and 2.
The committee has requested ministries and local governments in 12 northern provinces and cities, including Hanoi, Haiphong, and Ninh Binh, to strictly implement the prime minister’s directive on storm and flood preparedness.
Localities are required to closely monitor rainfall, evacuate residents in flood-prone areas, reinforce vulnerable dykes, and deploy on-site forces and materials under the “four on-the-spot” principle: ensuring local availability of manpower, command, supplies, and logistics for quick disaster response.
Authorities must also strengthen traffic control in flooded and landslide-prone areas and keep rescue forces on standby.
Provinces have been told to enhance flood prevention efforts in urban and residential areas and provide timely information to the public through local radio and television channels.
