Need to review, fix and repair dam system to respond to natural disasters

Unpredictable

Storm No. 1 led to heavy rains in mid-June 2025, not only flooding many roads but also causing severe damage to summer-autumn rice fields and crops of people in localities in Hue City. Many vegetable gardens that people had just planted were submerged in water, many newly sown rice fields were almost completely lost due to prolonged flooding for many days.

More worryingly, thunderstorms combined with tornadoes occur more frequently than in previous years, causing roofs to be torn off, trees to be broken, and power grids to be unsafe. These unseasonal weather phenomena are no longer isolated. They are becoming warning signs of climate change and extreme natural disasters.

Many hydrometeorological experts believe that the weather is being significantly affected by global climate change. Whereas previously the rainy and stormy season usually concentrated from September to November, now it can come at any time. Even in the summer - which is usually a time of intense heat - storms, tropical depressions or cold air masses can appear, causing widespread rain.

According to statistics from the Hue City Hydrometeorological Station, over the past 10 years, the frequency of extreme weather events in Hue has tended to increase in both number and intensity. Notably, the occurrence of “unseasonal floods” - which rarely occurs in the Central region - is one of the main reasons why disaster prevention and control work has encountered many difficulties.

Unpredictable weather conditions have affected farmers’ production, income and livelihoods. Mr. Hoang Van Dung in Ha Cang village, Dan Dien commune, worried: “Growing vegetables in the summer is like gambling. Today it’s sunny, tomorrow it’s pouring rain, I don’t know what to do.”

Currently, units and localities throughout Hue City have been working with farmers to restore the rice and crop areas damaged by the recent storm and flood. However, to cope with unusual weather, the first thing is to change the mindset, we cannot continue to be subjective and respond in the old way.

Change your mindset

It is necessary to identify that natural disasters can occur at any time, so the spirit of "4 on-site" needs to be maintained regularly, but must change in a more proactive and flexible way.

In fact, some localities in Hue City have had flexible approaches, such as proactive coordination between the government, forces and people to organize dredging of canals and sewers from the beginning of summer; early training on storm prevention and control for households living along rivers, seas and lagoons to cope with the risk of sudden floods...

Therefore, weather forecasting and early warning work needs to be given more attention. The application of technology such as online flood maps, heavy rain warnings via Zalo, text messages, weather apps, etc. continues to be integrated and popularized to people in the fastest and most effective way. The agricultural sector also needs to guide people to convert appropriate crop structures, choose rice varieties, crops, etc. that are resistant to flooding and drought to adapt.

Preventing and combating natural disasters and responding to extreme weather is not only the job of the meteorological, agricultural or commune-level authorities, but requires synchronous participation from the city to the grassroots level; from the government to organizations, unions, and people...

A comprehensive plan for climate change adaptation is not only a short-term response but must be a long-term strategy, with specific solutions such as: Developing green and smart cities, upgrading drainage infrastructure, planting more trees, and enhancing natural water-permeable spaces such as lakes, ponds, and parks.

“Proactive response does not mean going against nature, but finding ways to live in harmony, intelligently and adapting to nature in a changing era. Let's start with the smallest things: Do not litter and clog drains; listen to and update weather forecasts every day; learn how to evacuate safely; share information quickly on social networks when there are storms and floods. These small things will create a Hue community that is proactive and steadfast in the face of any unusual weather developments,” noted Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Director of the Hue City Hydrometeorological Station.

Article and photos: PHONG ANH

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/kinh-te/phong-ngua-mua-bao-tu-som-155351.html