This content was discussed at the Forum "Application of science and technology in forecasting and early warning of natural disasters", organized by the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper in coordination with other units on November 25 in Bac Ninh.
Technology opens up new opportunities for forecasting and early warning
Speaking at the opening of the Forum, 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, emphasized: In recent years, Vietnam has continuously suffered from many large-scale storms and floods with great intensity, with many historic natural disaster indicators appearing.
According to him, in responding to natural disasters, prevention always plays a key role. First of all, the capacity to monitor, forecast and give early warning so that people and authorities at all levels can proactively respond. In recent years, the State, businesses, social organizations and the international community have increased investment in monitoring and forecasting systems, especially in storm forecasting, which has made much progress.
"However, weather developments are becoming more complex 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," Dr. Cao Duc Phat assessed.
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 Directors of the Community Fund for Disaster Prevention and Control
Mr. Cao Duc 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 each small area, supporting timely information transmission to the people.
Dr. Cao Duc Phat especially emphasized the need to develop risk simulations, especially flood simulations based on 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.
“More importantly, in the event of power outages or signal loss, grassroots officials must still rely on input data to guide people to proactively respond,” Mr. Cao Duc Phat emphasized.
Currently, some central localities such as Quang Ngai have initially implemented flood simulations, but further research is needed to better reflect actual conditions. Dr. Cao Duc Phat said that northern provinces also need to pay attention to building flood and landslide risk simulations 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 mobilized social resources to install nearly 1,000 automatic rain gauge and flood warning stations; supported many localities in deploying salinity measuring equipment, landslide warning devices, digital warning systems, and formed disaster prevention and control shock teams at the grassroots level.
“The forum hopes to continue listening to the opinions of scientists, professional agencies and the community to find suitable and feasible solutions to meet the urgent requirements of forecasting and early warning of natural disasters,” Dr. Cao Duc Phat shared.
Localities proactively transform response thinking based on data and technology
Speaking at the forum, Mr. 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 and Thai Binh River, 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 develop strongly in industry and urban areas, but at the same time makes the province always face the risk of being greatly affected by heavy rain, floods, high tides, and inundation.
According to Mr. Huong, during the recent floods, many irrigation works in the province had to operate at high intensity and continuously. Some dykes and embankments appeared to be leaking and collapsing; many dykes were overflowing or locally broken; hundreds of pumping stations had to operate 24 hours a day to protect residential areas, industrial zones and agricultural production.
The unusual patterns of floods, with each year being higher than the previous, show that the traditional response method of “looking to the sky and looking to the water” is no longer enough. We are forced to strongly shift to proactive thinking, based on data systems, simulation technology and early warning.
Mr. Dang Cong Huong, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Bac Ninh province
"The unusual patterns of floods, with each year being higher than the previous, show that the traditional response method of "looking to the sky and the water" is no longer enough. We are forced to strongly shift to proactive thinking, based on data systems, simulation technology and early warning," Mr. Huong emphasized.
According to provincial leaders, science and technology are becoming the “new frontline force” in natural disaster prevention and control. Flood simulations, inundation depth maps for each area, and early warnings of the risk of bank breaches, landslides, or flooding are of great importance to command and control. This is the basis for making correct and timely decisions to limit damage.
Bac Ninh aims to continue to comprehensively review the system of dikes, dams, and pumping stations; identify weak points to prioritize investment. The province also promotes cooperation with central ministries, branches, research institutes, and technology enterprises to develop an inter-reservoir monitoring, simulation-forecasting-early warning system and a flood drainage system.
In addition, the province aims to build a close-knit network between managers, scientists, businesses and the community to ensure that data is shared smoothly, warning information is transmitted quickly and people have the earliest access to necessary recommendations.
This forum, with the participation of many experts, scientists and managers in the field of hydrometeorology and natural disaster prevention, is an opportunity for localities to exchange experiences and propose solutions to improve the effectiveness of forecasting and early warning, thereby making practical contributions to the goal of minimizing damage caused by natural disasters.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/ung-dung-khoa-hoc-cong-nghe-de-nang-cao-nang-luc-du-bao-canh-bao-thien-tai-post925763.html
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