Gov’t chief chairs overnight emergency meeting on flood relief
VGP - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired an emergency video-teleconfrerence late on November 20—while on a working trip to Algeria—with leaders of ministries, agencies, and localities to discuss the response to serious natural disasters in several central provinces.
The Prime Minister stressed that all available resources and forces be mobilized, stressing that isolated areas and places where people are in need of rescue must be reached during the night, Algeria, November 20, 2025 — Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac.
The Prime Minister, who is on an official visit to Algeria, instructed local authorities to urgently review and assess conditions on the ground, particularly in submerged or isolated areas, to ensure timely and effective support for affected residents.
He has issued five official telegrams directing responses to the flooding, inundation and landslides.
Pham also approved VND 50 billion (US$1.9 million) in emergency assistance for Khanh Hoa province to help the locality overcome the consequences of severe floods induced by heavy rains.
The Prime Minister tasked relevant forces and local authorities to urgently assist affected families with funeral arrangements for the deceased and search for the missing, and provide medical treatment for the injured.
He also instructed authorities to mobilise all necessary forces to quickly rebuild homes for affected residents; set up temporary shelters to ensure no displaced family is left without accommodation; repair schools so children can return to class as soon as possible; and restore medical facilities to maintain uninterrupted healthcare services.
The Government leader underlined the need for sanitation measures to prevent disease outbreaks, and for the swift restoration of electricity and telecommunications for households and businesses. Localities were asked to reassess damage and prepare recovery plans, including restoring production and livelihoods.
The Prime Minister called on people nationwide, the armed forces, and overseas Vietnamese to continue maximum and comprehensive support to residents in the central region.
The State Bank of Viet Nam was tasked to consider financial assistance policies for affected households and businesses. The Ministry of Finance was ordered to immediately release rice for emergency relief, while the Ministry of Health was directed to supply essential medicines and biologicals for disease prevention and control.
Pham stressed that that all procedures for disaster recovery funding be completed overnight, including the allocation of VND 200 billion each to Lam Dong and Khanh Hoa, and around VND 150 billion (US$5.68 million) each to Dak Lak and Gia Lai for flood prevention and recovery.
The Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security were instructed to deploy personnel and equipment to restore infrastructure and deliver essential goods to flooded or isolated areas.
Press agencies were asked to closely follow developments, report promptly on the flooding situation and recovery efforts, and provide the public with guidance on disaster preparedness.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, together with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, were tasked with inspecting and ensuring the safe operation of reservoirs, balancing dam safety with flood control for local communities.
The Ministry of Construction and Ministry of Public Security were directed to reopen blocked transport routes and guide traffic away from dangerous areas.
The Ministry of Science and Technology, along with telecommunications and power operators, were requested to mobilise resources to quickly fix electricity and telecom outages.
The Prime Minister assigned the Office of the Central Steering Committee for Civil Defense to closely monitor the situation and promptly propose disaster prevention and recovery measures.
He also directed Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long to travel to Gia Lai, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc to Dak Lak, and Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung to Lam Dong on the morning of November 21 to directly oversee the response, with saving lives set as the top priority.
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh joins the meeting in Ha Noi, November 20, 2025 - Photo VGP/Nguyen Hoang
At the meeting, the Ministry of National Defense said it deployed four helicopters on November 21 to reach isolated areas. Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh noted that provinces such as Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa have never experienced flooding of this magnitude.
Police and military forces have depoyed around 40,000 personnel for rescue and relief operations. As of Wednesday night, some 300 locations were cut off by floodwaters, but by the morning of November 20, police forces could reach nearly all of them. Local authorities had also evacuated tens of thousands of people from isolated or high-risk areas.
Rainfall is expected to gradually ease from now until November 23, with floodwaters likely to recede quickly.
According to initial reports, floods have left 41 people dead and nine missing. A total of 167 houses were damaged, while more than 51,000 homes were flooded. In agriculture, 13,026 hectares of rice, crops and vegetables were damaged; 2,183 hectares of perennial and annual plants were damaged; and more than 30,700 livestock and poultry were killed or swept away.
