Head of the National Civil Defence Steering Committee has issued Dispatch No.13/CD-BCD-BNNMT on October 7, urging northern provinces and ministries to take immediate measures in response to heavy rainfall and flooding caused by the remnants of Storm Matmo.

Flooding in the northern province of Thai Nguyen following Storm Matmo.

The dispatch was sent to the People’s Committees of Lao Cai, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, and Ninh Binh, as well as the Ministries of National Defence, Public Security, Agriculture and Environment, Construction, and Industry and Trade.

National media agencies including the Vietnam News Agency, Vietnam Television, and the Voice of Vietnam were also asked to strengthen communications on disaster prevention.

According to the national weather forecasting agency, due to the storm’s circulation, moderate to heavy rain and torrential downpours in some areas have been recorded across the northern region and Thanh Hoa province since the night of October 6.

Rainfall totals reached as high as 437.6mm in Thai Nguyen’s Hoa Thuong station and 250.4mm in Bac Ninh’s Bo Ha station.

Water levels in major rivers, including the Cau, Thuong, and Luc Nam, as well as in rivers in Cao Bang and Lang Son, are expected to continue rising between October 7 and 10.

Peak flooding on these rivers is forecast to surpass warning level 3, signalling the risk of exceptionally large floods.

Meanwhile, water levels could exceed warning level 2 in the Thao and Lo rivers, and above level 1 in the Hoang Long and Hong (Red) rivers.

The National Civil Defence Steering Committee requested local authorities and relevant ministries to strictly comply with the Prime Minister’s Directive No.188/CĐ-TTg issued on October 6 on preparedness against floods, flash floods, and landslides.

Provinces and cities were instructed to closely monitor rain and flood developments, promptly disseminate information to local authorities and residents, and urgently evacuate people from low-lying, riverside, and landslide-prone areas.

They are also required to inspect river embankments and dykes, reinforce vulnerable points, and be ready with personnel, equipment, and materials to protect key dyke sections.

The dispatch emphasised the “four-on-the-spot” principle - manpower, materials, vehicles, and logistics available locally - to ensure safety along the dyke system.

Localities were also directed to deploy forces to guard flooded and landslide-prone areas, restrict traffic in unsafe zones, and prevent fatalities caused by negligence.

In addition, local broadcasting stations were urged to intensify coverage of rainfall and flood developments, while rescue forces must remain on standby to respond to emergencies.

The committee also required continuous reporting to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to ensure coordinated disaster response efforts.

On the same day, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment asked the People’s Committees of Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Bac Ninh, and Hai Phong to carry out urgent measures to protect dyke systems amid the threat of serious flooding on the Cau, Thuong, and Luc Nam rivers.

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