Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Linh Ngochas suggested that the quality of hydrometeorology forecasting should beimproved in anticipation of the complex development of naturaldisasters in 2015.
He told a conference in Hanoion May 7 that his ministry’s units should open training sessions onsearch and rescue and natural disaster prevention; ensure humanresources are in place to deal with crises; provide access to necessaryequipment; and inspect the implementation of relevant legal documents.
Ngoc said it is also important to build mapsdemonstrating areas vulnerable to elevated water levels caused bytyphoons in coastal localities, while implementing the law on naturaldisaster prevention and raising public awareness of the issue.
Nguyen Van Tue, Director of the Department of Hydrometeorology andClimate Change, said five storms and three tropical low pressure spellsoccurred in the East Sea in 2014, lower than the average ofprevious years.
Droughts were seen in coastalprovinces from Quang Binh to Khanh Hoa, causing huge damage toagriculture production. At other times in the year, these localitieswere hit equally hard by strong whirlwinds, thunderstorms and heavyrain.
Director of the National Centre forHydrometeorology Forecasting, Hoang Duc Cuong, said about 9-10 stormsand tropical low pressures are forecast to enter the East Sea this year,about 4-5 of which will have direct impact on the mainland.
The northern, central and Central Highlands region might see moreflash floods and landslide in 2015 compared with last year.
The drought in central southern region will last until September thisyear, while salt intrusion will be increased in the south until May, hewarned.-VNA
