Proactively reinforce dikes to respond to storm Wipha

Ha Nam dike (in Lien Hoa and Phong Coc wards) is the only level III dike in the province, with a total length of nearly 34km. After the 2024 storm season, the authorities of the communes and wards where the dike passes through coordinated with the dike management unit to carefully inspect the current status to detect damage and unfavorable factors that could threaten the safety of the project. At the same time, identify key routes and vulnerable areas to have protection plans. To date, the entire route has been repaired and upgraded to a scale that ensures it can withstand level 10 storms and 5% high tides.

According to the Department of Economic - Urban Infrastructure, Lien Hoa Ward - the unit managing 20.4/34km of the Ha Nam dike, the dike is designed to block waves from 5.1-5.5m, has 38 gates through residential areas, material yards and openings connecting to industrial parks and companies; outside the dike (sea side) there is a wave-blocking forest with trees such as banyan, mangrove, mangosteen, mangrove, etc.; there are 6 drainage culverts through the dike. Up to now, to respond to storm No. 3 Wipha, the unit has organized a review of the entire status of the dike; directed and assigned forces to regularly inspect, grasp the situation to promptly handle incidents and drain water in the fields, avoiding the risk of flooding.

Lien Hoa Ward also organized a review and identified reserve materials in the warehouse of the Dike Management Department in Phong Hai 7 quarter and at the gathering places at key locations outside the scene to prepare for storm No. 3; the available materials include: 2,610 steel cages, 1,702kg of steel wire, 10,000 sacks and other hand tools. 8,055m³ of boulders distributed at key locations, at the foot of the dike on the Ha Nam dike line in the areas: K10+500 ÷ K11+600: 4,847 m³; K13: 849m³; K14+500 ÷ K14+920: 1,359m³; K23+500: 1,000m³. For 38 sluice gates across the dike, the Ward People's Committee has directed and assigned tasks to the Ward Military Command and related organizations to arrange forces to install sluice gates at the sluice gates, ensuring safety during storms and high tides.

Mr. Duong Van Hao, Secretary of the Party Committee of Lien Hoa Ward, said: To proactively respond to storm Wipha, the ward has established a Command Committee for natural disaster prevention, control and search and rescue, clearly assigning tasks to each member according to the motto "4 on-site". The ward continues to review the entire natural disaster prevention and control plan of the ward, promptly adjusting it to suit the actual situation; at the same time, closely coordinate with the police, military and mass organizations to deploy measures to ensure the safety of people and property for the people. Particularly for the dike system in the area, the ward has mobilized forces to inspect and reinforce weak points; always prepare materials and arrange human resources at key locations, especially the foot of the dike in the fields and sluice gates. We pay special attention to being on duty 24/24 hours at dike sections at risk of landslides; at the same time, prepare plans to install flaps and operate sluice gates when there is a high tide.

Currently, the province's dike system is about 397km long (nearly 34km of level III dikes, 134km of level IV dikes and 230km of level V dikes). This dike system is responsible for protecting about 43,600ha of area and about 250,000 people. The dike system is capable of withstanding level 9-10 storm winds combined with a 10% tidal frequency, which is a relatively high level of assurance compared to the whole country.

To proactively respond to the effects of the storm, coastal wards and communes with dikes have mobilized militia, disaster prevention teams and local people to reinforce the dike roof, insert soil sacks, add stone cages and bamboo poles to prevent erosion of the dike foot, especially at locations adjacent to river mouths and coastal areas that are susceptible to waves. Along with that, wards and communes have also urgently reviewed, made lists and notified households living in dike areas and low-lying areas to move to safe places before the storm makes landfall. The relocation is carried out according to the "4 on-site" motto, with close coordination between local authorities, police, military and militia forces. Evacuation points are arranged to ensure essential living conditions and safety for people during the storm shelter. At the same time, functional forces are also on duty 24/7 in vulnerable areas, ready to assist people in moving when an emergency occurs.

To reduce pressure on the river dyke system when storms cause heavy rain in the basin, 176 dams and irrigation systems in the province have also reviewed flood prevention capacity, proactively lowering water levels to welcome floods according to approved operating procedures. Pumping stations for flood control, urban drainage and low-lying production areas have been maintained and tested; backup power sources and fuel have been prepared for continuous operation in stormy conditions.

Ms. Le Thi Xuyen, Irrigation Cluster No. 4, Yen Lap Irrigation Company Limited said: We have arranged a 24/7 force at the pumping station area to closely monitor the water level and promptly operate the equipment. When the water level rises, we are ready to operate the pumping station to quickly drain the water, avoid local flooding, and ensure safety for the downstream area and the important dike system. Along with that, the Company has also inspected and reinforced the headworks, canal system, and discharge valves to be ready to operate effectively in all situations.

Currently, the Command Committees for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue at all levels have also strengthened the “4 on-site” force; established a 24/7 communication channel during the storm and the rain after the storm. In particular, in communes and wards with combined dikes and traffic routes, plans to close roads during strong winds and high tides have been prepared to ensure the safety of people and vehicles.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/chu-dong-gia-co-de-dieu-ung-pho-voi-bao-wipha-3367726.html