Vietnam will be hit
by between 20-25 magnetic storms with an intensity of 150-200nT (nano-teslsa), a
unit of magnetic density, in 2011, say the Institute of Geophysics, part of
Vietnam’s Academy of Science and Technology.

Photo: Vietnam+

The magnetic storms are also likely to become
more frequent and stronger at the end of the year, the Institute added.

According to Ha Duyen Chau, a senior researcher
at the Institute, the earth was hit by a magnetic storm with an intensity of
about 60 nT earlier this year.

“It is difficult to predict exactly when a
magnetic storm will occur,” said the researcher.

Vietnam first started to study magnetic storms in 1957 but monitoring stations
were not installed until after the 500KV national grid began operating in 1998.

Magnetic or geomagnetic storms are caused by
changes to the earth’s magnetic field, usually associated with charged particles
generated from solar flares and sunspots.

On average they last from between 24 and 48
hours, but some are known to have lasted for many days.

* Waste treatment plant under
construction in city

Huynh Minh Nhut, director
of the Urban Environment One Member State-Owned Limited Company, will officially
inaugurate a plant to treat dangerous waste materials on March 1 in Ho Chi Minh
City.

The plant with present capacity to treat 21 tons
of waste per day is already operational on an experimental basis. After its
official opening on March 1, the company will collect hazardous waste from
enterprises in and around the city.

It is estimated that even if this plant becomes
operational, the city would still need more such factories as the city produces
an average of 600 toxic wastes a day and the present capacity of the plants can
only treat around 30 tons per day.

The city Department of Natural Resources and
Environment has appealed for more social contribution and participation in
treating toxic waste. Three enterprises responded to the appeal in 2010 but the
city has been lax in providing these enterprises with vacant land for the
construction of waste treatment plants.

VNN/SGGP/VOV