Many houses in central Thua Thien-Hue province submerged (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Natural disasters could shave 1.5 percent off annualGDP or even more if no appropriate measures are taken in response to climatechange, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
The average temperature in Vietnam is predictedto increase 2-3 degrees Celsius by 2100, while sea levels will rise from 78-100cm.
Such a rise would submerge over 10 percent ofthe Red River Delta and Quang Ninh province in the north, 2.5 percent ofcentral coastal localities, and over 20 percent of HCM City.
It would directly affect 9 percent of the populationin the Red River Delta and Quang Ninh, nearly 9 percent in central coastallocalities, and about 7 percent in HCM City.
Of particular note, some 35 percent of the populationin the Mekong Delta would be affected and 40.5 percent of its rice output lost.
The agricultural sector, the natural ecosystem,the poor, the elderly, women, and ethnic minority groups are all vulnerable.
The ministry emphasised the need to conduct researchon and apply technical solutions and new technologies in designing andconstruction works.
Priority should be given to investing in earlywarning and monitoring systems in urban areas and concentrated residentialareas, and raising public awareness about climate change./.
VNA
