Leaders and residents at several provinces in Vietnam were embarrassed to discuss measures to deal with tsunamis and earthquakes at an online conference on natural disasters.

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At the conference held by the Central Steering Committee on Flood and Storm Prevention and Control June 29, delegates said that the tsunami and earthquake danger in Vietnam and in the world has become more complicated.

Meanwhile, experts from the Institute of Geophysics said that they are only able to inform people quickly after an earthquake occurs, but are not able to forecast where and when tsunamis will happen.

In the case of underwater earthquakes, they can predict tsunamis that are likely to result, when sufficient data has been collected from quake sites.

According to Bui Van Duc, general director of the National Hydro Meteorological Forecasting Center, the Government should organize tsunami and earthquake rehearsal drills to help residents become familiarized with proper procedures that should be followed in case of disaster. For instance, when tsunamis happen, vessels must know where to travel to and how ensure tourists get ashore safely; residents must know evacuation routes.

A representative from the Ministry of National Defense proposed that relevant authorities should construct shelters, for people to evacuate into when tsunamis or earthquakes strike.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat, who is also head of the National Steering Committee on Flood and Storm Prevention, said that the Prime Minister has tasked the Institute of Geophysics as the sole organ in Vietnam responsible for informing and warning the public of impending tsunamis and earthquakes.

Therefore, the institute should be allowed to inform residents about disasters immediately, as soon as they have information, without waiting for instructions from higher authorities.

Minister Phat said that if tsunamis or quakes happen west of the Philippines, or in the middle of East Sea, they will affect to Vietnam within an hour. That is not sufficient time for Vietnam officials to meet to discuss instructions.

Provinces should establish authorized agencies to deal with the calamities, he said.

To cope with tsunamis and earthquakes, the Central Steering Committee on Storm and Flood Prevention and Control said provinces should strengthen building up dikes and growing trees to hold waves back.

As of now, alerts of tsunamis and quakes come only via mass media outlets such as television, radio, telephone and internet. In the future, the Government would like to have rescue forces at the ready, to evacuate residents immediately when disaster strikes, the committee said.

Source: Sai Gon Giai Phong