Flash floods and landslides are forecast to be more frequent in 2017.

(Baonghean.vn) - According to the assessment of the North Central Hydrometeorological Station in the meeting held this morning at the Provincial People's Committee on the implementation of natural disaster prevention tasks in 2017, the weather and natural disasters continue to be complicated and unpredictable. Flash floods and landslides in 2017 will occur more than in 2016.

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired the conference. Photo: Van Truong

In 2016, Nghe An province experienced many natural disasters such as severe cold, prolonged heat, tornadoes, thunderstorms, causing damage to production and people's lives. In 2016, Nghe An was affected by two storms No. 3 and No. 4, causing heavy to very heavy rains, causing a major flood in the upper reaches of Hieu River and Ca River and flash floods, landslides in Que Phong, Quy Chau, Tuong Duong districts, etc.; causing flooding in many low-lying areas in the province.

In 2016, natural disasters killed 15 people, injured 15 people; collapsed, swept away, damaged, or destroyed over 10,000 houses, damaged over 62,500 hectares of agricultural and aquatic production areas; killed over 100,000 livestock and poultry, and damaged many irrigation works, rural traffic, dykes, schools, drinking water, and other essential infrastructure. Total estimated economic losses were over VND1,600 billion.

Seven groups and nine individuals were awarded Certificates of Merit by the Provincial People's Committee for their outstanding achievements in disaster prevention and search and rescue in 2016. Photo: Van Truong.

According to the assessment of the North Central Hydrometeorological Station, the weather and natural disasters continue to be complicated and unpredictable: the temperature in 2017 continues to be higher than the average; the rainy season comes late but the rainfall is approximately equal to or higher than the average; storms appear earlier and more often than the average; flash floods and landslides occur more often than in 2016.

Checking PCBL at Dien Thanh - Dien Chau culvert. Illustration photo by Van Truong

To cope with natural disasters in 2017, concluding at the conference, comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested departments, branches, localities and units to focus on directing and organizing the implementation of propaganda, dissemination and raising awareness so that people can take measures to prevent, respond to and overcome the consequences of natural disasters.

Review and develop specific plans for evacuation and relocation of people before the rainy and stormy season; Direct the evacuation of people from dangerous areas before natural disasters occur; Strengthen forecasting and warning work for natural disasters that have a wide-ranging impact, are long-lasting, cause great damage and can be forecasted and warned in advance such as: storms, floods, cold weather, droughts, and saltwater intrusion.

Forecasts and warnings need to be specific, clear and easy to understand to provide timely guidance in production. Focus on implementing infrastructure projects to increase the resilience of essential infrastructure.

On this occasion, 7 groups and 9 individuals were awarded Certificates of Merit by the Provincial People's Committee for their outstanding achievements in disaster prevention and search and rescue in 2016.

Flash flood in Anh Son in 2016. Photo archive.

Van Truong