Officers and soldiers assist residents in Thủy Tân Commune, Hương Thủy Town, Huế City, in harvesting rice submerged by floods following Storm Wutip on June 13. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has issued a new directive calling for urgent and comprehensive measures to strengthen disaster preparedness, response and recovery ahead of the 2025 rainy and storm season.

The directive, signed on Thursday, comes amid concerns over fragmented regulations, weak infrastructure and increasingly erratic weather patterns caused by climate change. 

Ministries, provinces and agencies are instructed to ensure continuous monitoring, timely response, and clear communication across all levels. Local leaders must maintain full operational capacity during the merging of administrative units and ensure uninterrupted leadership during disasters.

Authorities are tasked with updating emergency response plans, addressing risks exposed during Typhoon Yagi in 2024, and improving infrastructure resilience, particularly dikes, dams, power and telecom systems, and urban drainage.

The PM emphasised the "four on-the-spot" approach, i.e., on-the-spot command, on-the-spot manpower, on-the-spot supplies and on-the-spot logistics, to reduce damage, especially human casualties. Heads of provincial and municipal governments are held accountable for all disaster response operations in their jurisdictions.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will oversee weather monitoring and accelerate digital transformation in forecasting and early warning systems. It must also coordinate with other ministries to finalise flood management plans for key river basins and ensure safe reservoir operations.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade will be responsible for hydropower safety and electricity supply, while the Ministry of Construction must tackle urban flooding, particularly in major cities such as Đà Nẵng, Đà Lạt, and Phú Quốc.

The Ministry of National Defence is finalising a decree to implement the Civil Defence Law and will lead efforts to mobilise resources during emergencies. The Ministries of Public Security; Education; and Finance are also directed to prepare safety measures for vulnerable communities, schools and ensure funding for disaster recovery.

Meanwhile, national media outlets are tasked with raising public awareness and providing timely, accurate updates on disaster situations.

The directive assigns Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà to oversee the implementation of these measures, while the Government Office will monitor progress and report emerging issues directly to the PM. — VNS