Improving dike protection skills in O Dien

Many dike locations in O Dien commune have experienced cracks, erosion, and landslides. To ensure the safety of flood protection works, the locality focuses on community strength, the "four on-site" motto, and handles incidents from the first hour.

Dike patrolling during the flood season is an important and regular task of O Dien and communes and wards along large rivers. Photo: Kim Nhue

Many risks of dike safety loss

O Dien was established from 7 communes: Lien Hong, Lien Ha, Lien Trung, Hong Ha, Tan Lap, Tan Hoi, Ha Mo (old Dan Phuong district) and part of Van Khe commune (old Me Linh district), Tay Tuu ward (old Bac Tu Liem district). With more than 14km of dikes from level III to level I, O Dien commune is one of the localities with the longest dike length in the city. Although it has received investment attention from all levels and sectors, the dike system of O Dien is still at risk of incidents when floods occur exceeding the design frequency.

O Dien commune mobilized nearly 200 people to participate in a dike incident response drill on the morning of September 11. Photo: Kim Nhue

In fact, many incidents have occurred on the dike lines running through O Dien, such as: Cracked dike surface at K46+160 of the right Hong line; erosion of the downstream slope at K41+365. In addition, there was a landslide on the Tien Tan dike retaining wall at K1+800; cracked and subsided Lien Hong embankment from K43+175 to K43+245; subsidence and damage to the slope of Lien Hong embankment at K44+060. Although repair works have been built, these dike sections have not yet undergone the great challenge of the Red River flood.

According to Tran Thanh Man, Deputy Head of the Hanoi Department of Irrigation and Natural Disaster Prevention, many units and localities, although they have developed very complete plans and strategies, have not paid attention to organizing implementation. When natural disasters occur, some places have large forces but lack means and materials; some places have adequate supplies but lack people; and some places have large forces but poor coordination... Meanwhile, dyke protection must be done right from the first hours of detecting incidents.

People of O Dien commune practice handling landslides on the right Hong dike, a dangerous incident for the dike system. Photo: Kim Nhuệ

In particular, 2025 is the first year of the two-level local government model, increasing the gap in natural disasters in border areas. Some commune-level leaders and experts are taking on the role of command and consulting on natural disaster prevention and control for the first time. Therefore, organizing practical exercises, focusing on improving command skills and mobilizing the community to participate in dike protection, becomes even more necessary and urgent. In other words, exercises are a way for localities to practice, avoid confusion and improve command capacity, incident handling techniques, and ensure the safety of flood protection works.

Practice many situations

People of O Dien commune practice handling situations of raising the foundation to prevent flood from overflowing the dike. Photo: Kim Nhuệ

Based on the local reality and the current status of flood control works, on September 11, O Dien commune coordinated with the Hanoi Department of Irrigation and Disaster Prevention to organize a drill to practice a number of natural disaster situations. The program is part of the project "Raising community awareness and community-based disaster risk management" in Hanoi and was deployed in the key area K45+300 of the Red Right Dike, with the participation of nearly 200 people from the militia, police, medical staff , youth union members and Dike Management Department No. 3.

People of O Dien commune practice handling a landslide situation. Photo: Kim Nhuệ

According to the scenario, due to heavy rain for many days combined with flood discharge from the Hoa Binh , Thac Ba, and Tuyen Quang hydropower reservoirs, the water level of the Red River rose above the third alarm level (14.4m), causing incidents of landslides, eddies, and floods over the dyke surface in sections lacking elevation. Faced with this situation, the Party Committee, People's Committee, and Civil Defense Command of O Dien commune held an urgent meeting; issued a disaster warning to the community; patrolled, guarded, and inspected the construction; handled the incident of turbid water seepage into the dike slope in the field; responded to the situation of water overflowing the dike; and reinforced the collapsed dike slope. The entire process was closely linked to the "four on-site" motto, mobilizing forces and materials prepared before the rainy and flood season to handle the situation promptly, minimizing damage.

Mr. Nguyen Thac Khanh, 22 years old, a resident of Lien Trung village, shared: “This is the first time I have participated in a drill like this. Through this drill, we know clearly what to do when an incident occurs and how to coordinate with the local forces. Previously, we had only heard about the bubbling and seeping of veins, but now that I have witnessed the handling, I feel much more secure.”

Ms. Bui Thuy Dung, a resident of Ha Mo village, also expressed: "We, the people living along the dike, really hope to participate, because the exercise not only helps officers but also people practice skills in protecting the dike and protecting their own families."

Deputy Head of the Hanoi Department of Irrigation and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control Tran Thanh Man assessed the effectiveness of the disaster drills in O Dien commune. Photo: Kim Nhue

Speaking to a reporter from Hanoi Moi Newspaper, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of O Dien Commune, Pham Van Khoi, said: "Through the drill, the forces have both trained in professional techniques and improved their proactive response spirit. The important thing is that the community can participate and raise awareness of protecting the dike, minimizing damage when natural disasters occur."

Deputy Head of the Hanoi Irrigation and Disaster Prevention and Control Sub-Department Tran Thanh Man highly appreciated the locality's preparations and affirmed that the drill was not only an activity to test command capacity, the ability to mobilize forces, materials and means according to the "four on-site" motto, but also an opportunity for the government, sectors, organizations and people to practice dike protection skills.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nang-cao-ky-nang-bao-ve-de-dieu-oo-dien-715716.html