Prime Minister: Standardize reservoir operation ahead of flood season

Infrastructure yet to respond to extreme disasters

Speaking at the closing session of the National Conference on Disaster Prevention and Control 2026 on the afternoon of April 1, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that amid increasingly extreme, complex, and unpredictable natural disasters, even anomalous in nature, the principle of “leaving no one behind” has been clearly demonstrated. The goal, he said, is to ensure that no citizen lacks food, clothing, or shelter; that students have access to schools; and that the sick receive medical care.

Notably, the PM highlighted the Quang Trung Campaign, which was carried out with a spirit of “speed and boldness.” As a result, hundreds of thousands of damaged homes were repaired and tens of thousands of collapsed houses were rebuilt in a short time, helping residents stabilize their lives ahead of the Lunar New Year.

At the same time, the “four on-the-spot” principle, local command, local forces, local supplies, and local logistics, continued to prove effective. The military, police, youth, and women’s groups played core roles in disaster response. Communications efforts were timely and effective, with journalists working under challenging and dangerous conditions to disseminate information and mobilize social resources.

Drawing from practical experience, the PM outlined six key lessons. First, forecasting must be timely and accurate, and leadership must stay closely connected to developments on the ground and to the people. Second, protecting lives must be the top priority, with citizens placed at the center of disaster prevention and response. Third, response and recovery measures must be prompt, appropriate, and effective. Fourth, there must be a decisive shift from reactive response to proactive prevention. Fifth, national unity must be strengthened, combining domestic and international resources. Finally, coordination must be enhanced across all levels, sectors, and among the state, citizens, and businesses.

Despite these achievements, the PM acknowledged persistent shortcomings. Losses of life and property remain significant; awareness among some local authorities and communities is still limited, with elements of complacency. Infrastructure systems, especially dikes, reservoirs, transportation, electricity, and telecommunications in many areas, have yet to meet the demands posed by extreme weather events. Forecasting and warning capabilities for certain types of disasters remain inadequate, and many localities are still unprepared and lack initiative during emergencies.

“In the context of climate change, natural disasters will continue to grow more extreme, unpredictable, and even defy natural patterns, requiring enhanced forecasting capacity and response capability,” the PM said.

Highest priority: protecting the people

Regarding future policy direction, PM Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the highest objective is to safeguard the lives, health, and livelihoods of the people, placing them at the center and ensuring that no one is left behind. Disaster prevention and control, he added, must be closely linked with rapid and sustainable socio-economic development.

To achieve this, he outlined several key priorities. First, urgently complete and refine institutions, mechanisms, and policies to suit the new context. Second, accelerate investment in and modernization of disaster forecasting and warning systems. Third, develop communes and wards into strong “fortresses” for disaster prevention. Fourth, strengthen strategic reserves and adapt the “four on-the-spot” approach to current conditions. Fifth, establish mechanisms to mobilize the combined strength of the entire political system and society. Sixth, effectively integrate domestic and international resources.

The PM assigned specific tasks to ministries and agencies. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will lead efforts to finalize reservoir operation procedures across river basins before the flood season. The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security are to maintain readiness for emergency response, search, and rescue. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will ensure the safety of hydropower reservoirs and the electricity supply. The Ministry of Construction will review the quality of infrastructure. The Ministry of Science and Technology will promote the application of science and technology, particularly artificial intelligence. The Ministry of Education and Training will strengthen disaster preparedness education for students.

For local authorities, the PM called for the development of practical disaster-prevention plans, the integration of disaster risk management into development planning, the proactive relocation of residents from high-risk areas, and the strengthening of local forces, equipment, and resources.

Reinforcing his directive, PM Pham Minh Chinh urged all levels and sectors to remain proactive in prevention, ensure accurate forecasting, provide timely warnings, respond swiftly, and carry out effective recovery efforts. At the same time, he emphasized the importance of maintaining composure, avoiding both complacency and panic, in order to adopt scientific, appropriate, and effective approaches to increasingly extreme natural disasters.

“All actions must be directed toward the highest goal: safeguarding peace and a happy life for the people,” the PM stressed.