LookAtVietnam Bridge – Abnormal weather patterns, including heavy downpours, storms and floods, are expected to occur in Vietnam for the rest of the year, according to a weather official.
Bui Minh Tang, director of the Central Meteorology and Hydrology Centre, warned that more tropical low-pressure systems and storms would take place this year than in the past few years because of the La Nina phenomenon, in which important temperature fluctuations occur in surface waters of the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean.
Vietnam is expected to be hit by seven to eight major storms this year as compared with five to six in the past several years.
Similar forecasts have been announced for other Asian regions. Hong Kong, for example, will face about 10 storms this year, of which six to eight are expected to also strike the Vietnamese coast.
Tang, said it was difficult to assess the scale of the storms, and that Vietnam had never been hit by a major natural disaster, such as the devastating Nargis cyclone that occurred last week in Myanmar.
Nargis reportedly killed more than 22,000 people, and 41,000 others remain missing.
Such a storm could occur in Vietnam, given the complicated weather picture for this year, said local forecasters.
The Government has told local authorities to remain highly vigilant and prepare for major storms.
Torrential rains could also trigger major floods in rivers in the north, central and southern provinces. The flood levels in northern provinces are expected to be higher than last year.
|
A tropical low over the northern part of the East Sea near the Spratly islands, which is moving towards Vietnam at 5-10km per hour, could strengthen into storm in the next 24 hours, the National Hydrometeorology and Forecasting Centre said yesterday.
Wind speeds are expected to reach force 8 (62-74km/h), with gusts exceeding force 8 by 1pm today.
About 200km from the centre of the storm, wind speeds are expected to reach force 6.
Rough sea are also expected.
Coastal provinces from central Binh Thuan to as far south as Ca Mau will be battered by strong winds, the centre said. |
Tang also called on local residents and fishermen to take precautions against thunder and winds as well as floods and landslides following heavy rains.
Since 2006, meterologists in Vietnam have been forecasting with far greater accuracy than in the past.
In 2006, they were forecasting 24 hours in advance, but they can now effectively forecast up to 48 hours. Tests are being carried out to raise that figure to 72 hours.
The UN has warned Vietnam about the danger of global climate change, which could raise the sea level in the next few decades.
Tang said climate change worldwide was caused by increased industrial production, environmental pollution, excessive use of energy supplies and deforestation.
He stressed the need to use clean energy, set up waste-treatment systems and promote afforestation to protect the environment.
(Source: Viet Nam News) | 
