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Overcoming limitations to actively respond to natural disaster
Overcoming limitations to actively respond to natural disaster
10/5/17
In 2016, floods, windstorms, and
tornadoes caused severe damage to people and property in many localities. The
impact of climate change is taking a toll on Vietnam.Over the past year,
there have been 2,694 incidents, natural disasters (excluding traffic
accidents), an increase of 183 cases (6.8%), leaving 264 dead and missing;
5,431 houses collapsed; 3,65,000 houses were flooded. A total economic loss
was estimated at about VND39.7 trillion (nearly US$1.76 billion).
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The above-mentioned damage was not only due to objective
reasons, but also the result of low awareness and lack of skills in
responding to incidents and natural calamities as well as shortcomings in
direction, inspection and supervision of functional agencies, authorities in
some localities.
In addition, the number of weather observation stations is
small and not yet meeting the forecast requirements while the forecasting and
warning work is still limited. The development of disaster preparedness plans
in some localities, ministries and sectors is not appropriate. There is still
a lack of monitoring and supervision in some irrigation and hydropower
projects. Many legal documents, mechanisms and policies are still inadequate
while the awareness of law enforcement related to natural disaster prevention
in some agencies, organisation and individuals is still low.
According to forecasts, the weather situation from now
until the end of 2017 is still very complicated. In the last days of April,
while the North is suffering from a "hot and cold" weather,
abnormal wind and rain appeared in the Central and the Central Highlands
region. A strong heat wave lasting more than 10 days with a high temperature
of 39-40 degrees Celsius in the South ended with thunderstorms and cyclones
over the weekend.
It is also noteworthy that the erosion of the river and
sea, resulting in increased saline water intrusion into the land, not only
made it difficult for agricultural production but also threatened life and
property of people. For example, the erosion along the river bank in the Vam
Nao River, a branch of the Hau River through My Hoi hamlet, My Hoi commune,
Cho Moi district in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang caused damage to
the inter-communal road and hundreds of local households.
In order to address issues related to climate change in an
effective manner, involved departments and agencies should work more closely
to advise and direct the implementation of the natural disasters mitigation
measures, particularly in building and strengthening infrastructure for flood
prevention and control and disaster mitigation, ensuring reservoir safety,
planting watershed forests, developing storm shelter and drainage systems for
major cities, improving capacity building and community-based disaster
management, and integrating disaster risk mitigation in new rural area
construction.
In addition to climate monitoring, weather forecasts and
the issue of warnings should be made priorities to effectively serve the
prevention and mitigation of natural disasters and minimise the damages
caused by climate change to the community.
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All comments [ 10 ]
Vietnam will mobilize every resource to effectively manage natural disaster risks and adapt to climate change.
It must aim at minimizing loss of human lives and property, mitigating impacts on people’s livelihood and socio-economic activities, and limiting damage to natural resources, the environment and cultural heritage
The Government should find all ways to contribute to ensuring sustainable development, national defense and security and step by step building a safer society against natural hazards.
To this end, Vietnam will increase its forecasting and warning capacity to the level of the most advanced regional countries for such disasters as storm, water rise due to typhoon, flood or heavy rain, inundation, flash flood, landslide, drought and saltwater intrusion.
early warning will be made against flash flood, landslide, drought and tsunami.
Also by 2020, national, regional and provincial task forces will be formed all over the country in order to promptly respond to the occurrence of severe natural disasters in case natural disasters fall beyond the capacity of local forces.
Viet Nam needs to improve the quality of weather forecasting and enhance international co-operation to prepare for natural disasters.
Natural disasters struck from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, occurring in all regions with many types of natural disasters.
Natural disasters have led to stagnant production and harmed the health of people in disaster-prone areas. It was the main reason for the poor performance of the agricultural sector in the first half of last year, resulting in a decrease in the country’s economic growth.
Facilities and equipment to support disaster prevention work were still limited while staff in agencies often didn’t respond to disasters in a timely fashion.
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