The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha has blamed the El Nino phenomenon for the recent inaccurate weather forecast reports.

Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung said at a meeting with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on December 21 that he was concerned about the recent weather forecasts after severe droughts in the central and central highlands, saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta and cold spells in northern mountainous areas. Over 100 people have died or been left missing during the recent floods in the central region.

He said, "Weather forecast, especially remote forecasting, is really important. It is everyone's concern during a period where we are experiencing climate change. So how are the weather forecasts of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment?"

Ha admitted that the recent forecasts were not good enough. However, he said, the El Nino phenomenon this year caused extreme weather and had affected their forecasts. Moreover, their equipment was also outdated. 

"We lack radar and more advanced technology. In the coming time, we'll improve staff capacity and our hydrographic networks which are only a bit bigger than Laos and Cambodia," he said.

Talking about the floods in the central region, Ha said he was surprised by how accurate the forecasts were. "The casualties would have been even higher if the forecasts weren't so accurate."

Dung also urged Ha to improve the sector's ability so that forecasts could be announced fast and accurately.

Dtinews