Floods, Landslides Kill 1,000 People in Vietnam since 2000: Authority

Floods and landslides have left nearly 1,000 people in Vietnam dead or missing since 2000 and destroyed many infrastructure projects, according to the Vietnam Disaster Management Authority, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The authority revealed the information at the 7th Vietnam-Japan cooperation workshop on disaster management, which was held in Hanoi late last week. Participants at the event highlighted the need to enhance the efficiency of early warning systems, improve public awareness of preventing and responding to flash floods and landslides, apply science and technology in communications, provide localities with warning equipment, and call for investment of the private sector. They also proposed the Vietnamese government allow the launch of a project to pilot an early warning system and the construction of dams to prevent mud and rocks in some risky areas. (Bao Chinh Phu, VietnamNews, en.Nhan Dan, Vietnam Plus, VOVworld, kinhtemoitruong, cpv, Vietnam Plus, VOVworld)