Tuyen Quang shifts to proactive disaster preparedness to minimize losses

Facing increasingly extreme weather patterns, Tuyen Quang province is transitioning from a reactive approach to proactive disaster preparedness, aiming to minimize damage to lives and property.

Functional forces assist residents of Tung Vai commune in recovering from natural disasters on March 23, 2026.

During 2024–2025, the province experienced 23 severe natural disasters, including heavy rains, storms, landslides and flooding. These events left 17 people dead, one missing, and more than 30,600 houses affected, with total losses estimated at over VND 5.2 trillion. The scale of damage has underscored the urgent need for a more effective response strategy.

Forecasts indicate that 2026 will continue to see complex and unpredictable weather, with heightened risks of localized heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides and urban flooding. In response, the provincial Civil Defense Steering Committee has developed detailed response scenarios, identifying dozens of high-risk communes and requiring local authorities to strengthen monitoring, inspect vulnerable areas and prepare evacuation plans.

Efforts are also focused on addressing bottlenecks that contribute to flooding, particularly in urban areas. Measures include dredging waterways, improving drainage systems, tightening land-use management and strictly handling violations of flood corridors. Early warning and forecasting systems are considered key to reducing risks.

At the same time, enterprises such as Tuyen Quang Hydropower Company are implementing disaster prevention plans, ensuring safe reservoir operations and coordinating closely with local authorities in flood regulation and downstream alerts.

At the grassroots level, the “four on-the-spot” principle - local leadership, forces, resources and logistics - has been effectively applied, enhancing community resilience. Many localities have proactively relocated residents from high-risk areas and prepared necessary resources for emergency situations.

With a coordinated approach that places people at the center, Tuyen Quang is strengthening its disaster resilience and moving toward sustainable development in the face of climate change.

 Trang Tam