Delivering timely weather forecast information down to the commune and ward levels,...

The reorganization of administrative units into a two-tiered government model is not only a change in organizational structure, but also necessitates a synchronized adjustment in meteorological and hydrological forecasting. To meet this new reality, the meteorological and hydrological sector is implementing a major adjustment plan, aiming to improve the quality of forecasts and warnings of natural disasters, and to provide accurate weather forecasts to every commune, ward, and special zone where people live.

Báo Đắk Nông•29/06/2025

Review the entire system and adjust forecasts to better reflect the needs of the people.

Starting from July 1st, the two-tiered local government system nationwide officially came into operation, requiring weather forecasts to be adjusted and updated to suit the new administrative boundaries, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in each area, down to each commune, ward, and special zone.

According to Comrade Nguyen Thuong Hien, Director of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , immediately after the Central Government decided to reorganize administrative units, following the Ministry's directive, the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology conducted a comprehensive review of meteorological and hydrological forecasting and warning work and natural disasters. In particular, special attention was paid to adjusting bulletins to suit the new communes, wards, and special zones, helping people and local authorities to quickly access, understand, and act promptly.

Leaders of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, inspect the weather forecasting duty. Photo: LA DUY

This is no small task. Previous weather forecasts were designed to correspond to the old administrative boundaries, from the provincial level down to some districts. The mergers, divisions, and name changes of local units require the meteorological sector to update its entire database, meteorological maps, and forecasting zoning system.

Previously, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting only provided detailed forecasts for 63 locations, corresponding to 63 provinces and cities. However, the system will now expand, updating detailed forecasts for all 3,321 new communes/wards and special zones. Each location will be linked to continuous 24/7 weather forecast information, with forecasts available 1 to 10 days in advance.

Furthermore, the Center is also developing a weather application for mobile phones and computers. Expected to launch in August 2025, the application will provide free, detailed weather information to the public: from daily weather to warnings about natural disasters such as flash floods, landslides, thunderstorms, tornadoes, tropical depressions , heatwaves, and high tides…

Associate Professor, Dr. Mai Van Khiem, Director of the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting.

This application will help people, especially those in remote areas, to be more proactive in responding to extreme weather events. In particular, for local government leaders – who directly oversee disaster prevention and control – timely and accurate information reaching the commune level is a prerequisite for developing appropriate action plans.

Forecast zoning based on new administrative place names.

The National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting will provide forecasts for climate zones characteristic of the entire country, including the seven existing zones and adding Ho Chi Minh City.

The areas adjusted according to the new administrative names include: Northwest region: Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Lao Cai, and the western area of Phu Tho province (formerly Hoa Binh province).

Northeast region: Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, Lang Son, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Hanoi; the northern part of Phu Tho province (formerly Vinh Phuc and Phu Tho provinces).

Thanh Hoa-Hue region; South Central coastal region (Da Nang, Khanh Hoa and coastal areas of Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Lam Dong provinces); Central Highlands region: Western part of Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Lam Dong provinces; Southern region; Hanoi region; Ho Chi Minh City region.

Staff on duty at the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting. Photo: LA DUY

Marine weather forecast bulletin

The northern Gulf of Tonkin area (the sea area from Quang Ninh to Ninh Binh); the southern Gulf of Tonkin area (the sea area from Thanh Hoa to northern Quang Tri (the sea area of the former Quang Binh province); the southern Quang Tri-Quang Ngai sea area (the sea area of the former Quang Tri-Quang Ngai province).

The Gia Lai-Khanh Hoa sea area (formerly the Binh Dinh-Ninh Thuan sea area); the Lam Dong-Ca Mau sea area (formerly the Binh Thuan-Ca Mau sea area); the Ca Mau-An Giang sea area (formerly the Ca Mau-Kien Giang sea area).

The northern area of the South China Sea (the sea area north of 15 degrees North latitude); the central area of the South China Sea (the sea area between 10-15 degrees North latitude); the southern area of the South China Sea (the sea area between 5-10 degrees North latitude); the Gulf of Thailand; the Paracel Islands Special Economic Zone (the sea area of the Paracel Islands); the Spratly Islands Special Economic Zone (the sea area of the Spratly Islands).

Staff at the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting update weather conditions across the country. Photo: LA DUY

Associate Professor Dr. Mai Van Khiem, Director of the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting, Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, said that the Center will develop detailed weather forecasts for each location, updated 24/7 and providing forecasts up to 10 days in advance. “Previously, we provided detailed forecasts for 63 forecast points (corresponding to the 63 provinces and cities of the past), and now we are renaming the forecast locations according to the names of communes/wards to match the new administrative units at the commune/ward level. In addition, the web system will update 10-day weather forecast information for 3,321 new communes/wards. People can access it for free to update weather conditions 24/7,” Associate Professor Dr. Mai Van Khiem emphasized.

Text and photos: NGUYEN HONG SANG

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