One death, 15 boats sunk as storm strikes

HA NOI — The first tropical low pressure hit the southern central province of Binh Thuan yesterday morning, leaving one person dead, two missing, one injured and 15 fishing boats sunk in the island district of Phu Quy and Phan Thiet City, according to the province’s Steering Committee of Floods and Storms Prevention and Control.

Most of the boats were reported to have been correctly anchored, but they still suffered damage due to a change in direction from high-speed wind.

In response to the tropical low pressure, the Central Steering Committee of Floods and Storms Prevention and Control and the National Committee for Search and Rescue on Tuesday asked relevant agencies in provinces and cities from Binh Thuan to Ca Mau, Kien Giang, Central Highland and Mekong Delta provinces to take action.

Localities were asked to inform and guide fishermen to move their vessels out of the expected low-pressure route. In addition, authorities have to prepare and implement emergency measures and mobilise personnel.

The Government has issued a new decree relating to violations of flood prevention and storm control. Violations will now be subject to hefty fines.

The decree aimed to regulate the behaviour of individuals and organis-ations in controlling floods and storms as well as mitigating their impact, said Pham Hong Giang, chief inspector of Dyke Management and Floods and Storms Prevention and Control Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Under the decree, violators would be punished in the form of warnings or fines. The fines range from VND1 million (US$52) to VND40 million.

In addition, violators would have their licences revoked or their means confiscated.

Fines of between VND1 million and VND2 million ($54-108) now apply in such cases as illegally moored vessels, and failing to report to authorities damage to flood-and-storm prevention facilities.

Residents in areas forecast to experience storms, floods or whirlwinds who fail to follow instructions from authorities when directed to move to safer areas will also be fined.

“Previously, some residents insisted on not leaving their home although natural disasters were forecast to hit their area,” said Giang.

The decree also imposed fines of up to VND20 million ($1,080) for those who damage flood and storm preventing constructions or destroy vegetation intended to stop encroaching waves. Abuse of the State budget for flood and storm preventing and controlling activities will also be subject to fines.

Operating dams without authorisation by authorities receives the highest level of fine VND40 million ($2,160). “This violation would have the most serious consequences to people during the storm season,” said Giang.

Sea-going vessels that launch emergency flares but fail to co-operate with rescue workers will also receive the highest fine. In such cases, the vessel owners will also have to pay for the cost of the rescue work.

The decree also focuses on violations in rescuing and supporting activities during and after floods and storms. Fines for slow, wrongly delivered, or appropriation of emergency relief to disaster-hit areas vary from VND10 million ($540) to VND15 million ($810). The decree also sets a fine of VND10 million ($540) for people spreading unfounded information about floods or storms, that lead to public confusion.

“The decree creates a legal framework and a set of sanctions for authorities from localities to the central level to improve the quality of floods and storm prevention and control. It is an important step in perfecting legal documents in this field,” said Giang.

The decree will take effect as of March 10 this year. — VNS