Higher responsibility needed in search, rescue work: PM

Working with the National Committee for Search and Rescue in Hanoi in June 16, he pointed to a number of shortcomings in the work, including poor awareness of some officials and people on natural disasters and incidents, as well as the need of early evacuation. 

Hydrometeorology forecast has been limited, while coordination among agencies has been poor and the designing and implementation of response plans against a super typhoon have been slow, he noted. 

The PM asked localities and ministries to make changes to improve both their awareness and actions in the work, while completing the organisation of the steering committees for search and rescue in each locality. 

At the same time, it is necessary to speed up communications to raise authorised officials and people’s awareness and responsibility on natural disaster response, thus minimising loss, he stated. 

He requested the National Committee for Search and Rescue to maintain around-the-clock duty to update natural disaster developments, so as to react in a timely manner. 

Localities are also directed to design preventive measures and response plans in case natural disasters occur. 

According to a report by the National Committee for Search and Rescue, complicated weather changes were seen in the first five months of this year with prolonged drought in central and southern regions, and floods in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City . About 1,370 accidents were reported, excluding road and railway accidents, 276 cases higher than the same time last year, resulting in 256 deaths. 

Due to climate change impacts, abnormal and extreme weather is forecast for the rest of the year, with unexpected rain, floods, landslides, cold spells and drought, according to the committee. 

Speaking at the working session, Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung asked for better weather forecast work, as well as the re-arrangement of the population to ensure no one is living in high-risk areas. 

On the incident of a military aircraft SU-30 MK2 that went missing on June 14, the National Committee for Search and Rescue reported that on June 16, it mobilised 32 military ships and 144 fishing boats from Thai Binh, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces, as well as 6 aircraft to search for the missing plane and crew. 

The search area will also be expanded by 100-200km, added the committee.