Prolonged heavy rain caused a six-metre section of the Nghi Sơn–Bãi Trành road in Thanh Kỳ Commune, Thanh Hóa Province to collapse. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Construction has ordered agencies to maintain 24-hour duty, regulate traffic and monitor areas at risk of deep flooding and landslides as heavy rain is forecast to hit the central region.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, torrential rain is forecast across the region from Sunday through Wednesday night with the expected volume of 100-200mm, locally exceeding 300mm, from the southern part of Nghệ An Province to the northern part of Quảng Trị Province.

The areas of Huế, Đà Nẵng and the eastern part of Quảng Ngãi Province could receive 250-450mm, with some places recording more than 700mm.

Meanwhile, southern part of Quảng Trị Province, eastern parts of Gia Lai and Đắk Lắk provinces are forecast to receive 150-300mm, locally exceeding 400mm.

The heavy rain could cause river levels to rise, flooding in low-lying areas, urban centres and industrial parks, as well as landslides, flash floods and rapid rises in water levels along small rivers and streams.

In response, the ministry has instructed heads of agencies and units to closely monitor weather forecasts and warnings and promptly implement response measures to ensure traffic and infrastructure safety while minimising losses of life and property.

The Department for Roads of Việt Nam has been tasked with reviewing areas prone to flooding, landslides and flash floods and preparing response plans, including traffic diversions well in advance.

Authorities must deploy personnel to guard, monitor and guide vehicles, particularly at submerged road sections, overflow bridges, areas with deep water or strong currents, and locations where landslides have occurred or are likely.

People and vehicles must be strictly prohibited from passing through areas where safety cannot be guaranteed.

In the railway sector, the Vietnam Railway Authority and Vietnam Railways Corporation have been instructed to strengthen patrols and deploy guards at vulnerable infrastructure, including bridges, weak sections of track, flood-prone areas and locations at risk of flash floods, falling rocks and landslides.

They must also prepare equipment, materials and personnel for flood recovery and develop contingency plans for train suspensions, delays, replacement transport and passenger transfers when flooding or landslides disrupt services.

For inland waterways, the ministry has called for vessels to be guided to safe anchorage and shelter.

Boats moored near bridges spanning rivers must be urgently relocated to safer locations to prevent floodwaters from sweeping them away and causing collisions with infrastructure.

Inland waterway management and maintenance units must retrieve buoys and navigation signals before floods arrive or upon receiving flood-release warnings, and arrange to reinstall them once the flooding subsides.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has been tasked with stepping up inspections of airports, terminals, communication systems and flight operations to promptly detect and address potential incidents.

Airlines must closely monitor weather developments and proactively adjust flight schedules, routes and destinations to ensure aviation safety.

The ministry has also instructed project management boards, investors and contractors to implement measures to ensure construction safety and prevent landslides, while preparing to deal with infrastructure incidents and maintain traffic on roads under construction that remain open to vehicles.

Construction departments in Nghệ An, Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Trị, Huế, Đà Nẵng, Quảng Ngãi, Gia Lai and Đắk Lắk must coordinate with relevant agencies to address flood-related incidents and ensure traffic flows on roads and waterways under their management. — VNS