An El Nino will develop in the next few months, causing higher temperatures this winter and possibly droughts in the north, forecasts the Centre for Meteorological and Climate Research.

The centre’s analysis shows that rainfall for the 2009-2010 winter may be lowered in the northern provinces of Dien Bien, Son La, Yen Bai, Hoa Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, the central province of Nghe An and parts of the Central Highlands.

Vietnam has nearly 200 hydro-meteorological stations and nearly 1000 rainfall measurement stations. The country also has stations to collect cloud photos via satellite. Data collected from these sources are analyzed to assist weather forecasters.

While no model or technology gives accurate drought forecasts, scientists have found a direct link between drought and El Nino.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment suggested saving water by restructuring the irrigation system, selecting drought-resistant trees and building new reservoirs to enhance river currents.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that reservoir levels are currently low. To prevent drought, the ministry asked local authorities to dredge canals and plan to use suitable varieties of crops.

VietNamNet/Government’s website