Technology opens up new opportunities for forecasting and early warning
According to Dr. Cao Duc Phat, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chairman of the Management Board of the Community Fund for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, emphasised: In recent years, Viet Nam has continuously suffered many storms and floods on a large scale with high intensity, with many historical natural disaster indicators appearing.
He emphasised that in responding to natural disasters, prevention always plays a key role. First of all, the capacity to monitor, forecast and provide early warning so that people and authorities at all levels can proactively respond. In recent years, the State, businesses, social organisations and the international community have increased investment in monitoring and forecasting systems, especially in storm forecasting, which has made a lot of progress.
He assessed that weather developments are becoming more complicated and unpredictable. Natural disasters appear with high frequency, high intensity, and wide range, putting great pressure on the existing warning system. On the contrary, the strong development of science and technology, especially digital technology and artificial intelligence, is creating new opportunities for the hydrometeorological forecasting industry.
The strong development of science and technology, especially digital technology and artificial intelligence, is creating new opportunities for the hydrometeorological forecasting industry.
Dr. Cao Duc Phat, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Community Fund for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control
Phat also said that in addition to satellite data, many automatic devices such as rain gauges, radars, temperature-wind-water level-flow sensors or rock displacement measuring devices are being deployed. These data sources, when integrated synchronously, allow faster and more accurate simulation of situations in small areas, supporting timely information transmission to people.
He especially emphasided the need to develop risk simulations, especially simulation of flooding according to specific rainfall amounts. With scenarios such as 300mm, 500mm or 700mm of rain, it is necessary to know which areas can be flooded, how deep, and how long it will last.
Currently, some central localities such as Quang Ngai have initially implemented flood simulations, but need to continue to research and perfect them to more closely reflect actual conditions. The northern provinces also need to pay attention to building simulations of flood and landslide risks for each region and each level; at the same time, ensuring that the monitoring system and operating team are maintained stably and long-term.
Over the past 17 years, the Community Fund for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has mobilised social resources to install nearly 1,000 automatic rain gauge and flood warning stations; supported many localities to deploy salinity measuring equipment, landslide warning, digital warning systems, and at the same time formed shock teams for natural disaster prevention and control at the grassroots level.
Localities proactively change their response mindset based on data and technology
According to Dang Cong Huong, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Bac Ninh province, emphasized: Early warning is a key factor in ensuring dyke safety, preventing flooding and protecting people's lives. Under the strong impact of climate change, many extreme weather phenomena appear in succession, far exceeding historical laws.
Bac Ninh is located in the lower reaches of the Red River - Thai Binh, the intersection of many large rivers such as the Cau River, Thuong River, Luc Nam River, and Duong River. The unique terrain helps the province strongly develop industry and urban areas, but at the same time makes the province always face the risk of being greatly affected by floods, high tides and inundation.
According to Huong, in recent floods, many irrigation works in the province have had to operate at high intensity and continuously. Some dykes and embankments have seen seepage and landslides; many dykes have been overflowed or broken locally; Hundreds of pumping stations must operate 24 hours a day to protect residential areas, industrial zones and agricultural production.
According to the provincial leader, science and technology are becoming the “new frontline force” in preventing and fighting natural disasters. Flood simulations, maps of inundation depths in each area, early warnings of the risk of bank breaks, landslides or flooding are important for command and operation. This is the basis for making correct and timely decisions, limiting damage.
Bac Ninh aims to continue to comprehensively review the system of dikes, dams, and pumping stations; identify vulnerable points to prioritize investment. The province also promotes cooperation with central ministries, branches, research institutes and technology enterprises to develop a monitoring, simulation-forecasting-early warning system for inter-reservoirs and flood drainage systems.
In addition, the province aims to build a close connection network between managers-scientists-enterprises-communities to ensure that data is shared smoothly, warning information is transmitted quickly and people have the earliest access to necessary recommendations.
