Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has urged the National Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Preventions, relevant ministries and sectors, and all localities to focus on preventative measures for floods, flash floods and landslides in the near future.

Consequently, the management and planning of infrastructure projects must be prioritised to ensure the safety of the people, particularly those living in the affected risk areas.

According to plans, localities across the country will relocate approximately 28,600 households from areas at risk of natural disasters.

The Deputy PM has assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to work with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance to collect proposals from localities outlining their respective evacuation schemes.

The Ministry of Planning and the Ministry of Investment and Finance will be responsible for allocating funds to implement the schemes.

Communication and outreach efforts should be stepped up, particularly in mountainous localities, to reduce the damage caused by floods, flash floods and landslides, the Deputy PM said, adding that every resident should be provided with adequate information on natural disasters and appropriate active response measures.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will continue to assess and establish flash flood and landslide warning and observation systems in vulnerable areas.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will advise localities on the implementation of their respective evacuation and resettlement programmes, and will ensure the flow of information regarding natural disaster prevention from the relevant national authorities to local units.-VNA