Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspects flooded areas on the outskirts of Hanoi at night. Photo: VOV

At the scene, Prime Minister Chinh requested Hanoi to coordinate with agencies to closely monitor the river levels and implement appropriate flood response measures, taking into account the worst case scenario to evacuate people to safe places and ensure safety for people first and foremost.

Encouraging the forces on dike protection duty, the Prime Minister thanked the officers and soldiers who worked overnight with the highest sense of responsibility and urgency. He urged the forces to assign tasks appropriately, with the most scientific and effective methods, promptly detect, respond to, and fix even the smallest incidents as soon as they occur.

Visiting and encouraging the locals, the Prime Minister shared their difficulties and losses, hoping that people will stay united and support each other and if there is a flood, strictly follow the instructions of the authorities, prioritize relief for the elderly, children, and pregnant women.

He also asked Hanoi city and relevant agencies to study long-term, fundamental solutions for the dikes because the river water level has now exceeded the historical flood peak.