Northern provinces see heavy rains, debris and landslides regularly

The special topography in the localities, with high mountains and sloping land areas, sees heavy rains, debris and landslides regularly. 

However, scientists point out that the degradation of the watershed forest is another reason.

In mid-2016, flash floods and landslides occurred in Hoa Binh, Son La, Ha Giang, Yen Bai and Lao Cai, causing a total of 60 deaths and missing persons. Meanwhile, many infrastructure items were damaged at a total loss estimated at VND9.032 trillion.

In 2017, flash floods and landslides caused a death toll of 71, while thousands of houses drifted away.

Most recently, the northern provinces experienced a severe flash flood on June 23-26. In Lai Chau province alone, the flood caused 29 deaths and damages of VND100 billion, according to director of the provincial agriculture department Ha Van Um. Traffic on many road sections in northern provinces was interrupted as they were eroded or submerged.

Nguyen Tung Phong, deputy director of the Vietnam Academy for Water Resources (VAWR), said that deforestation is one of the major problems behind the increase in natural disasters in recent years.

The habit of ethnic minority people, cultivating and settling at the foot of mountains where landslides often occur, is also a reason.

“It is not easy to change the habits of people, but it is a must. They need to migrate to safe areas to settle down there,” Phong said.

According to Doan Thi Tuyet Nga from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the ministry has applied comprehensive measures and used high technologies in monitoring and forecasting weather conditions.

Scientists have conducted research in the mountainous provinces in Vietnam, and carried out a series of projects on mitigating risks in Lao Cai and Yen Bai.

Dang Thanh Mai, Deputy Director of National Center for Meteorology and Hydrography, has suggested building up a map of current situations and possible risks which show high-risk areas and put forward solutions to deal with natural calamities. 

Tak Ishikawa from the Japan Disaster Prevention Association said in Japan, steel Sabo dam has been used effectively to prevent flash floods and landslides. The dam helps keep big rocks and wood logs from drifting away, while letting sand and sludge run in normal conditions, not disturbing fish. The solution could be applied in Vietnam.

US$1=VND22,000

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