Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has requested ministries and localities to take a more proactive attitude in coping with natural disasters to mitigate human and property losses while enhancing public awareness of the issue.

Speaking at a video conference in Hanoi on May 12, the Deputy PM asked local authorities to keep a close watch on the developments of natural calamities to build appropriate prevention measures.

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung inspecting sea dyke system in Soc Trang province in April 2016

At the same time, localities need to strengthen the Steering Committees for Natural Disasters Prevention and Search and Rescue at all levels and attach importance to the individual responsibility, he said, calling for continuous implementation of the project enhancing public awareness and community-based natural disaster risk management approved by the Prime Minister.

He urged localities to review capital sources to increase investment in essential facilities to prevent natural disasters and support search and rescue efforts.

Given the ongoing severe drought and saltwater intrusion in the south-central region, Central Highlands and Mekong Delta, the Deputy PM requested localities to boost communications and guide farmers to use water in an economical way and grow drought-resistant crops.

He reminded ministries and localities to concentrate on specific measures to deal with flood and drought such as reviewing the population in landslide-prone areas, examining and locating key routes – especially those under construction and prone to landslide, and placing warning signs to reduce human and property losses.

It is necessary to maintain effective operation of hydropower reservoirs and irrigation systems to ensure water supply in the dry season, as well as examine dyke networks and arrange capital sources to secure safety for locals in the flood season in the coming years, he said.

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources was asked to direct the National Hydro-Meteorological Service to keep a close watch on the weather developments to proactively provide information and update for people while tightening management of businesses operating in agriculture field to prevent them from discharging toxic substances to cause environmental contamination.

Source: VNA