Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang chaired a national conference on natural disaster prevention and control, search and rescue in 2024 held in Ha Noi on May 10.

Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairman Tran Chi Cuong chaired the city's broadcasting bridge point.

Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairman Tran Chi Cuong chaired the city's broadcasting bridge point.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting warned that between July and September this year, the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon is likely to change to La Nina state similar to 2020. The average temperature in the first four months of 2024 across the country was 0.5-1.5 degrees Celsius higher than the average in many years.

He, therefore, asked ministries, branches and localities to proactively prepare response plans, as well as act early and be proactive in all situations.

He requested that ministries, sectors and localities continue reviewing and completing the organisation of their steering committees for national disaster prevention and control and civil defence at all levels, while perfecting legal regulations in the work and well preparations before the stormy season.

The Deputy PM also asked for support and information sharing from international organisations, calling for their assistance in equipment and infrastructure through projects in the fields of forecasting and natural disaster prevention and mitigation.

According to the National Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, last year, the country suffered 1,964 natural disasters of all kinds, especially torrential rain, landslides, flashflood and flooding, leaving 169 people dead or missing, with economic losses of more than VND9,300 billion.

Since the beginning of 2024, natural disasters have left 14 people dead or missing, with estimated material damage of over VND399 billion.

Deputy General Director of the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting Hoang Duc Cuong informed that the shift from El Nino to La Nina will cause several abnormalities to weather patterns in Vietnam over the coming months.

The centre earlier forecast that about 11-13 typhoons and tropical low pressures will hit the East Sea, especially from September to November, 5-7 of which are likely to affect the mainland. Dangerous weather phenomena such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong winds will continue to occur across the country from now until the end of 2024, it added.

Mr. Cuong said the centre will keep a close watch on developments of natural disasters and water resources in river basins to give early and long-term forecast and alerts.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP - Translating by M.DUNG, T.TUNG