Ensure the disaster prevention and control system operates smoothly and effectively

In order to avoid being passive, Hanoi city is proactively filling in the "gaps" in organization and operation, ensuring the disaster prevention and control system operates smoothly and effectively.

Regarding this issue, Hanoi Moi Newspaper reporter had an interview with Mr. Nguyen Duy Du - Head of the Department of Irrigation and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, and Chief of Office of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue of Hanoi city.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Du, Head of the Hanoi Department of Irrigation and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, Chief of Office of the City's Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue.

Identify the challenge

- Since the beginning of 2025, the weather has shown many signs of extreme and unusual conditions, putting disaster prevention work under greater pressure than ever. In your opinion, what are the most worrying risks for Hanoi during this year's storm season?

- In my opinion, Hanoi is facing many major risks, including increasingly extreme weather, natural disasters and climate change with many unusual factors. Especially heavy rains, floods, storms and inundation must be mentioned. In addition, although the drainage, dyke and irrigation infrastructure system has received investment attention, many works are still degraded, not suitable for planning and practice, and not meeting the requirements of responding to high-intensity natural disasters.

In addition, a number of local government officials and people are still subjective and do not really pay attention to disaster prevention and control, leading to complicated developments in violations of the law on dykes and irrigation. Some localities have not yet completed the development of plans and solutions for disaster prevention and control according to the "four on-site" motto.

In particular, the operation of the two-level local government organization model, although carefully prepared, thoroughly understood and guided in detail, still needs to be tested in practice, requiring determination and synchronous participation of the entire political system.

- Can you share more specifically about the impact of the reorganization of the two-level local government apparatus on disaster prevention and control?

- In my opinion, the reorganization of the two-level local government apparatus is very necessary to streamline the apparatus and improve management effectiveness. However, in the short term, this also poses a big challenge to the command and operation system of disaster prevention and control plans. The entire plan must be adjusted, from command, forces, materials, means to logistics.

Notably, new commune and ward officials do not yet have a firm grasp of the area and many personnel are holding multiple different tasks. If disaster prevention and control activities are not proactively implemented in accordance with assigned functions, tasks and regulations on authority, clearly defined and reasonably decentralized, the risk of delay and confusion in disaster response is very high.

As I mentioned, the application of the two-level local government organization model in disaster prevention and control needs to be tested in practice, requiring determination and synchronous participation of the entire political system.

Don't leave a "gap" in command, or you'll miss the "first hour" of response.

- In the context of increasingly extreme weather and many changes in the organizational structure, can you tell us what preparations Hanoi has made to ensure safety during this year's storm season?

- From the beginning of 2025, the Department of Irrigation and Disaster Prevention and Control has advised the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the City's Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue, and the City People's Committee to direct, urge, and guide the implementation of many solutions related to the transformation of disaster prevention and control work, responding to the new administrative organization model in Hanoi.

For the Department, we have reviewed and assessed the current status of dykes, irrigation works, natural disaster prevention and control; advised on the development of key dyke protection plans, plans to prevent and control flooding in suburban areas and ensure the safety of dams and irrigation works, disaster response plans according to risk levels; coordinated the implementation of communication, information, propaganda, training to raise public awareness and community-based disaster risk management; coordinated in the prevention and handling of violations of the law on dykes, irrigation works and natural disaster prevention and control; advised on investment in the repair, upgrading and protection of dykes, irrigation works...

- The consolidation of the command force at the grassroots level is certainly also a key step in the context of no longer having a district-level apparatus as before. How is this work being implemented, sir?

- That's right! The Department has advised the City's Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue Command and the Department of Agriculture and Environment to provide detailed instructions and guidance on perfecting the disaster response command force at the grassroots level; at the same time, closely coordinated with the specialized department under the Hanoi Capital Command to advise the City's Civil Defense Command to direct and guide the establishment and perfecting of the Commune-level Civil Defense Command to simultaneously direct the work of disaster prevention and control and search and rescue...

- In the overall plan for natural disaster prevention and control today, where is the role of the people, sir?

- In disaster prevention and control plans, we always identify the central role of the people. They are not only the protected subjects but also the force that directly participates in and monitors the implementation results of the proposed plans. People's proactive response, self-protection and mutual support in the community are prerequisites to reduce damage caused by natural disasters and incidents. Every year and in the coming time, the Department has been and will closely coordinate with units and commune-level authorities to implement activities to raise public awareness and community-based disaster risk management.

- Some residential areas located close to the foot of the dike, along the river, and in riverbank areas have quite complex characteristics. How is the safety of these areas focused on, sir?

- The above areas are regularly concerned by Hanoi city and all levels and sectors, identified as key, vulnerable areas, easily affected by natural disasters. From there, attention is paid to directing and implementing solutions in the work of preventing, responding to, and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters.

More specifically, Hanoi city has directed and required communes and wards to develop response plans for each type of natural disaster, paying special attention to heavy rain, storms, floods, landslides and to have specific evacuation plans for each residential area. Communes and wards must arrange forces to patrol, guard and check to promptly detect risks, take measures to handle and ensure safety for people and property.

In addition, all levels of sectors and localities must strengthen information, propaganda, training and drills to raise awareness and skills on natural disaster prevention and control; strengthen coordination in handling violations of laws on dykes, irrigation and natural disaster prevention and control...

- Applying technology in warning and management is identified as an inevitable trend in disaster prevention, control, and rescue work in the world. What specific direction is Hanoi taking in this field, sir?

- Hanoi is strongly promoting the application of digital technology in disaster management and monitoring. A number of related activities have been deployed in the city such as management software, surveillance camera systems, online executive meeting systems, automatic rain gauges, river and lake water levels, etc.

In addition, Hanoi also effectively uses social networks, such as Facebook, Zalo groups... to serve propaganda work; effectively uses flycams to support the work of synthesizing information, natural disaster situations, incidents and violations of dike laws; equips a camera surveillance system at key points, critical for natural disaster prevention and control...

In the future, artificial intelligence will be applied to support the direction and operation of disaster prevention, control and search and rescue work in the city.

- Yes! Perhaps this is the time when early and grassroots initiative is needed?

- Exactly! Natural disasters do not wait for a complete apparatus to appear. Only with the real participation of the government and the support of the people can Hanoi maintain its "shield" of natural disaster prevention and control, ensuring the safety of the community during the fierce storm season ahead.

- Thank you very much for the conversation!

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/bao-dam-he-thong-phong-chong-thien-tai-van-hanh-thong-suot-hieu-qua-709024.html