Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Linh Ngoc has suggested that the quality of hydrometeorology forecasting should be improved in anticipation of the complex development of natural disasters in 2015.
He told a conference in Hanoi on May 7 that his ministry’s units should open training sessions on search and rescue and natural disaster prevention; ensure human resources are in place to deal with crises; provide access to necessary equipment; and inspect the implementation of relevant legal documents.
Ngoc said it is also important to build maps demonstrating areas vulnerable to elevated water levels caused by typhoons in coastal localities, while implementing the law on natural disaster prevention and raising public awareness of the issue.
Nguyen Van Tue, Director of the Department of Hydrometeorology and Climate Change, said five storms and three tropical low pressure spells occurred in the East Sea in 2014, lower than the average of previous years.
Droughts were seen in coastal provinces from Quang Binh to Khanh Hoa, causing huge damage to agriculture production. At other times in the year, these localities were hit equally hard by strong whirlwinds, thunderstorms and heavy rain.
Director of the National Centre for Hydrometeorology Forecasting, Hoang Duc Cuong, said about 9-10 storms and 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 more flash floods and landslide in 2015 compared with last year.
The drought in central southern region will last until September this year, while salt intrusion will be increased in the south until May, he warned.-VNA
