Lessons from forecasting and being proactive

In the context of increasingly severe climate change, flooding has become an urgent challenge. In Tuyen Quang province, in recent years, natural disasters have not only caused pain to people but also placed a heavy burden on socio-economic development. However, through each rainy and stormy season, valuable lessons have been reinforced: Successful flood prevention and control lies in the smooth combination of accurate forecasting science and the initiative and consensus of the people.

Forecasters check parameters at meteorological stations in Minh Xuan ward.

The “golden key” to prevention

On average, each year, Tuyen Quang suffers from many types of natural disasters , especially heavy rains, flash floods, landslides, and rockslides. In the first 9 months of 2025, there were 20 dangerous natural disasters, the most serious of which were floods. Just counting the recent flood from storm No. 10, the estimated damage was about 5,000 billion VND.

Ms. Vu Thi Thu, Director of the Provincial Hydrometeorological Station, said: In the context of increasingly severe climate change and irregular weather patterns, the work of forecasting impacts and warning of natural disaster risks at the Provincial Hydrometeorological Station plays an important role in helping to minimize damage. With the investment of the State, natural disaster forecasting and warning equipment is increasingly upgraded and modernized; the network of meteorological and hydrological stations is developed to help forecast impacts and warn of natural disaster risks faster, more effectively and more accurately. Depending on the types of natural disasters, especially storms or tropical depressions, the Station can issue forecasts and warnings every 3-6 hours on average. For dangerous natural disasters such as the recent floods, the frequency of information will be more frequent, from 1-2 hours/bulletin, serving the work of natural disaster prevention and control of localities and people. According to Ms. Thu, learning from the 2024 flood, this year, in addition to cooperating with network operators and mass media channels to fully inform weather reports and flood warnings on phones, television, and radio, the Provincial Hydrometeorological Station has worked with localities to broadcast news on the wireless broadcasting system in case of power outages or phone signal loss when large floods occur.

Assessing the work of forecasting impacts and warning risks of natural disasters, Mr. Nguyen Duc Long, Tan Quang 9 residential group, Minh Xuan ward shared that the forecasting work of the Hydrometeorological Station is very accurate, specifically mentioning the situation of storms, rain, sunshine... that occur and affect each region. Also according to Mr. Long, the restoration of wireless radio information in informing flood warning bulletins and flood costs has been really effective, helping people like him to promptly grasp information about natural disasters even when there is a power outage or internet outage.

Risk Reduction

At the regular meeting in September, when drawing experience in responding to the circulation of storm No. 10 , Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Phan Huy Ngoc emphasized: Scientific forecasts, no matter how accurate, will be meaningless without the acceptance and proactive action from the government, especially the people. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee praised the initiative and very quick response of the Party Committee, government and people, although the storm and flood were recorded as the largest in history, people's lives were guaranteed at the highest level.

Comrade Bui Chi Thanh, Deputy Head of the Irrigation Sub-Department, said: People in many flood-affected areas have switched to a proactive response mode, using forecasts as a "compass" for action. This is a positive change in the culture of disaster response. People have proactively followed warning bulletins through many information channels, instead of relying only on word-of-mouth announcements. Continuous interaction and information updates help them make timely decisions to move their assets.

According to Mr. Thanh, initiative is not only an individual action but also strongly demonstrated through community spirit. The flood and storm prevention and control teams at the grassroots level have been strengthened. Currently, each commune and ward has at least one disaster prevention and control team. This is an important bridge in transmitting forecast information to each household, supporting the elderly and disabled to evacuate and participate in on-site rescue and relief work. The motto "4 on-site" (command, force, materials, means, logistics) is not just a slogan but has become a practical action, with the community as the core.

Comrade Pham Manh Duyet, member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment - member of the Provincial Civil Defense Command, affirmed: We cannot prevent floods, but we can completely minimize disasters by strengthening trust in forecasting science and building proactiveness and solidarity in the community. Doing this will form a more proactive and stronger "immune system" against the harshness of nature, ensuring a safe and sustainable life.

Article and photos: Doan Thu

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202510/bai-hoc-tu-du-bao-va-chu-dong-6d57238/