Pham Thi Phuong, a NA deputy from central Ha Tinh Province.

Pham Thi Phuong, a NA deputy from central Ha Tinh Province, told the NA’s discussion on the draft Law on Hydrometeorology on June 24, that it is unacceptable for weather forecaster to make serious errors.

“The law should include a regulation banning the supply of wrong weather foresting information that causes serious human and property damages,” said Phuong.

She said hydrometeorology is a science, so it should be as exact as possible.

“It makes no sense when giving timely but wrong hydrometeorological forecasting,” Phuong said.

She cited Typhoon Linda in 1997 as an example. At that time, weather forecasts said that the typhoon would have no effect to Vietnam. However, the typhoon raged through the southern coast, targeting Ca Mau Province, killing and injuring up to 3,000 people and destroying many boats.

Phuong proposed that the law should stipulating responsibility of those who provide wrong weather forecasts.

NA deputy Phung Khac Dang from northern Son La Province emphasised the importance of qualified weather foresting for national security and defense, and disaster prevention.

“Those who provide weather forecasting that seriously affects national defense and security as well as national interests should be disciplined, such as by administrative punishment or criminal prosecution,” Dang said.