These figures were announced at a meeting in southern province of Ba Ria –Vung Tau on April 19, held by the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and the National Committee for Search and Rescue.

In 2009, 11 storms hit Vietnam and damaged the Northern, Central and Highland regions. Other disasters like floods, whirlwinds and land erosion also caused great damage to the local people.

Due to the impact of climate change, Vietnam is expected to suffer from various natural disasters this year. The two committees will take all preventive measures to cope with adverse weather conditions.

Provinces and cities across the country have been asked to follow the government’s guidelines in preventing and alleviating natural disasters, reinforcing the sea and river dykes, creating a special information network for national disaster prevention, carrying out effective search and rescue operations, coping with the aftermath of disasters and ensuring the people’s safety.