Ministry of Science and Technology directs response to storm No. 3: Ensuring safety and smooth communication in Thanh Hoa

Directly inspecting the field and working with the Civil Defense Command of Thanh Hoa province, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Duc Long praised the timely and comprehensive participation of the entire political system of Thanh Hoa province in responding to storm No. 3; at the same time, requested the province to continue to resolutely and synchronously deploy measures to respond to natural disasters, especially ensuring smooth communication - the lifeblood in directing and operating natural disaster prevention.

Bộ Khoa học và Công nghệ•23/07/2025

On the afternoon of July 21, 2025, in Thanh Hoa province, comrade Pham Duc Long, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology , Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue and Civil Defense of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Head of the Working Group of the Ministry of Science and Technology, had a working session with the Steering Committee for Civil Defense of Thanh Hoa province on preparations for responding to storm No. 3 in 2025 to assess the locality's readiness level, ensure absolute safety for people, smooth information and minimize damage caused by natural disasters.

At the working session, the delegation connected online with the delegation of comrade Mai Xuan Liem - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province who is directly directing the response to the storm in Muong Lat commune to listen to the report on preparations to respond to the storm, plans to prevent flash floods and landslides in mountainous communes of Thanh Hoa province.

According to the report of the Provincial Civil Defense Command, Thanh Hoa has proactively issued 5 urgent dispatches directing all levels, sectors and localities to promptly deploy natural disaster prevention plans, minimizing damage to the lowest level. The whole province has arranged 186,000 people to be ready to respond to natural disasters; 6,546/6,555 ships have entered safe anchorage. Border guards closely coordinated with local authorities to promptly call and guide ships to avoid storms.

In particular, the work of ensuring communication is focused on thorough preparation and comprehensive backup. The Department of Science and Technology of Thanh Hoa province has issued Official Dispatch No. 1890/SKHCN-BCVT requesting telecommunications enterprises to activate VinaphoneS satellite equipment and deploy communication plans in all situations. Working groups have been established to inspect and provide guidance in key areas, especially areas at high risk of being isolated and disconnected due to storm circulation.

Local telecommunications companies have proactively inspected and reinforced the infrastructure of antenna columns and BTS stations to withstand level 10-12 storms; converted transmission lines to underground cables or OPGW; and organized backup ring networks for key stations. Thousands of generators, spare batteries, fuel, welding and measuring equipment, etc. have been prepared. BTS mobile teams and mobile broadcasting vehicles are stationed at key locations. Satellite equipment (VSAT-IP, Inmarsat) is deployed in high-risk areas. Companies are also ready to roam between networks to maintain communication if one network operator has problems.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Duc Long acknowledged and highly appreciated the proactive, methodical, synchronous and drastic actions of Thanh Hoa province, especially the timely participation of the entire political system in responding to storm No. 3.

Emphasizing the key role of communication in the management and direction of natural disaster prevention, the Deputy Minister requested that Thanh Hoa province continue to strictly implement the Government's instructions on storm response, closely coordinate with relevant units to review and call on all ships, including those from other localities operating in the area, to quickly return to safe shelters. At the same time, the Deputy Minister also requested network operators to provide phone SIM cards to leaders of all communes to maintain stable connections in all situations; arrange 24/7 on-duty forces, deploy mobile broadcasting vehicles at key points, and ensure continuous communication connections.

The Deputy Minister assigned the Department of Science and Technology to be the focal point to direct postal and telecommunications enterprises in the area to ensure communication to serve the direction and operation of storm prevention, ensure communication for the leaders of the People's Committee, the Provincial Civil Defense Command and local authorities. Accordingly, the Department needs to proactively identify areas at risk or losing communication to activate inter-network roaming mode; coordinate with the Department of Industry and Trade to prioritize power supply to key BTS stations, coordinate mobile broadcasting stations, and advise on the establishment of a hotline to receive feedback and recommendations from people...

*Deputy Minister Pham Duc Long delivered concluding remarks at the working session.*

In addition, telecommunications enterprises are required to urgently deploy technical measures such as reinforcing stations, antenna poles, adding generators, backup batteries; deploying roaming between networks when required, instructing people to set up service roaming mode to maintain communication. In case an area is isolated for a long time due to floods or deep inundation, network operators will broadcast alternately, using roaming to save fuel and extend the system's operating time.

Enterprises also need to proactively review and develop more solid BTS stations in key areas of natural disasters, publish a list of level 4 BTS stations to the Department of Science and Technology to inform people, and use them in emergencies such as charging phones. The plan to mobilize human resources, vehicles, and spare materials to quickly restore the network after the storm must also be completed; arrange focal staff on duty 24/7, provide the list to the Department of Science and Technology for coordination and operation. At the same time, strengthen the backup of Viba transmission lines, review the satellite information system (VSAT-IP, Inmarsat), and be ready to provide services when necessary.

Immediately after the working session with the Civil Defense Command of Thanh Hoa province, Deputy Minister Pham Duc Long directly inspected the mooring of boats at Lach Hoi storm shelter in Sam Son ward.