Lao Cai uses modern technology for disaster response

Modern equipment deployed in flood-response drill

Alarm sirens blared across Ao Luong Hamlet in Lien Son Commune, Lao Cai Province, as a simulated scenario involving prolonged heavy rainfall caused by storm was activated. Floodwaters rose rapidly, several areas became isolated, and landslide risks emerged at multiple vulnerable locations. Rescue and emergency response forces immediately carried out urgent response operations.

A notable feature of the 2026 civil defense drill on disaster prevention and response, organized by Military Region 2 in coordination with Lao Cai Province on May 22, was the deployment of numerous modern technologies and equipment to support rescue and relief operations.

At the drill site, unmanned aerial vehicles continuously hovered overhead to identify hazardous areas and search for victims. On the ground, rescue teams used specialized vehicles to reach landslide-hit areas and help evacuate residents to safer areas.

Under the simulated scenario, Storm No. 3 made landfall in northern Viet Nam, bringing prolonged heavy rainfall across Lao Cai Province and increasing the risk of flash floods, debris flows, and landslides in many areas. In Ao Luong Hamlet, Lien Son Commune, rising floodwaters caused a dam to collapse, sweeping away homes and residents’ property.

In response to the emergency, the command mechanism was activated immediately. Military forces, police, militia units, medical teams, and local authorities simultaneously launched rescue operations, organized evacuations, and established an on-site command center.

Unlike many previous drills, modern technology played a key role this time in supporting command operations and ensuring the safety of rescue personnel. A range of specialized equipment enabled rapid access to disaster sites, identification of hazardous areas, and quicker evacuation of victims from danger zones.

In reality, mountainous localities often face major challenges in reaching disaster-hit areas due to rugged and fragmented terrain. Therefore, the application of modern technology not only improves rescue efficiency but also helps reduce risks for emergency forces operating under extreme weather conditions.

Proactive response at the grassroots level

Lao Cai is a mountainous border province with complex terrain that is frequently affected by disasters such as flash floods and landslides, causing significant losses of life and property. In recent years, climate change has made weather patterns increasingly unpredictable, with localized heavy rainfall occurring more frequently and intensifying disaster risks.

Against this backdrop, organizing realistic disaster response drills is considered an important solution to strengthen preparedness and response capacity among both authorities and local communities at the grassroots level.

Major General Nguyen Dang Khai, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of Military Region 2, stated that disaster prevention and response must be regarded as a peacetime combat mission. Accordingly, local authorities need to regularly review and update disaster response plans while placing greater emphasis on drills and preparedness exercises, particularly at the grassroots level following the implementation of the two-tier local government model.

The drill mobilized around 1,000 personnel from military forces, police, militia and self-defense units, and medical teams, along with more than 100 specialized vehicles to handle a wide range of realistic scenarios, including establishing an on-site command center, setting up evacuation zones and field hospitals, and carrying out rescue operations.

Particularly notable was the close coordination among different forces in every situation. From command and operational management to resident evacuation and rescue of trapped victims, all tasks were carried out swiftly and systematically, demonstrating strong preparedness for real disaster scenarios.

Beyond helping emergency forces improve their skills, the exercise also contributed to raising public awareness of disaster prevention and response. Residents were guided on how to recognize landslide risks, carry out safe evacuations, and assist family members during emergencies.

According to Duong Quoc Huy, Secretary of the Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Steering Committee for the province’s civil defense drill, the exercise helps grassroots authorities better understand the actions required during disasters while also improving residents’ ability to protect themselves and support their communities.

Lao Cai becoming the first locality to organize a civil defense drill after implementing the two-tier local government model reflects the province’s determination to proactively respond to disasters early and from afar. Practical lessons drawn from the exercise will serve as a foundation for the locality to further improve its disaster prevention and response plans in the coming period.

The rainy and storm season is approaching. For a mountainous province like Lao Cai, which frequently faces the threat of flash floods and landslides, preparedness remains the most important factor in minimizing losses and damage. And in today’s fight against disasters, alongside human efforts, modern technology is becoming an “extended arm” that makes rescue and relief operations more effective and safer.