A worker checks wind direction and speed at the Lang Son Hydro Meteorological Station. (Photo: VNA)In Vietnam, since the beginning of this year, natural disastershave been increasingly irregular, with unseasonal rains and floodingaccompanied by thunderstorms, strong winds and storms.
From March 30 to April 2, heavy rain in the central region causedwidespread damage, especially to agricultural production.
From April 15 to 28, 41 earthquakes were recorded in Kon Plong districtin the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum.
In April, May and mid-June, prolonged downpours pushed waterlevels in the north to historic highs.
Such torrential rain has led to landslides and flash floods inmountainous areas, as well as flooding in urban areas and industrial zones,especially in Hanoi, Vinh Yen, Bac Ninh and Bac Giang.
The water level on a number of rivers rose to alarming Level twoand three (five is the highest), threatening the safety of the dyke system.
From the beginning of this year to August 13, 82 people werekilled or went missing due to natural disasters, and economic losses wereestimated at over 4 trillion VND (171.8 million USD), according to the NationalSteering Committee for Natural Disasters Prevention and Control.
Speaking about the natural disasters, especially heavy rain, flashfloods and landslides, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Disaster ManagementAuthority (VDMA) Nguyen Van Tien said that they were getting worse because ofclimate change.
Another reason is limited awareness of the authorities and peoplein some places. They did not have specific solutions and had not madeappropriate investments in disaster prevention and control.
Over-exploitation of sand caused erosion of riverbanks and coasts.Forest exploitation reduced the vegetation layer and the natural ecosystembecame unbalanced.
Tien said that most local disaster prevention and control forceshad to spend their time on multiple tasks. They lack specialised equipment andtools for monitoring and supervision. As a result, they struggled to respond tolarge-scale disasters.
The use of technology and databases in natural disaster preventionand control is still limited, especially for flash floods and landslides.
Improve forecasting capacity
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan, who isalso deputy head of the Standing Committee of the National Steering Committeefor Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, said that to reduce risks anddamage caused by natural disasters, all authorities should perfect the legalsystem for the work.
They should develop appropriate strategies and warning maps,perform forest protection, and control investment in construction projects forclimate change.
They should also ensure the quality of early warnings andforecasting to proactively prevent and minimise damage.
To improve forecasting, the hydro meteorological sector hasextended the time limit for weather forecasting and warning for natural disastersto 10 days.
Seasonal forecasting period is also extended. The sector has anewsletter identifying natural disasters, issued twice a year.
Forecasts for storms and tropical depressions are issued three orfive days in advance, forecasts for heavy rain two or three days, and warningsfor thunderstorms released from 30 minutes to two hours in advance. Severe coldspells are forecast five to seven days in advance.
Marine weather forecasting has seen remarkable innovations thanksto new foreign technologies. Wave forecasting models have been detailed withinfour kilometres, and the forecast period is up to 10 days.
The time of issuing storm bulletins is 30 minutes to one hourearlier than before. Other reports, such as hot or cold weather and heavy rainare issued 30 minutes earlier than before.
VDMA Director Tran Quang Hoai said that in responding to naturaldisasters, ministries and localities needed to closely monitor the evolution ofnatural disasters, especially flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas.
They must protect the dyke systems, reservoirs and dams, promptlyand accurately advise the National Steering Committee for Natural DisasterPrevention and Control to direct concerned agencies to respond to and overcomethe consequences of natural disasters.
The national steering committee needs to guide and urge localitiesto implement provincial indicators for assessing disaster prevention andcontrol this year.
The committee should build a monitoring system for drought andsaltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta, review and propose adjustments to themaster plan on flood prevention and control in the Hong Red and Thai Binh riversystems.
In the future, the VDMA will strengthen science and technologyapplication in disaster management, aiming to build a national database andtools for monitoring and supporting the work.
It will call for resources from domestic and foreign agencies andorganisations to conduct international treaties which Vietnam has signed.
The VDMA will develop social networks such as Facebook, Zalo,Youtube and Tiktok with attractive programmes and news, increasinginteractivity and attracting users.
This year, the VDMA will finalise the administrative reform planand strengthen information technology to handle work to improve efficiency innatural disaster prevention and control.
It will focus on training and fostering skills for staff,evaluating and replicating typical models in natural disaster prevention andcontrol./.
VNA
