Damage from Natural Disasters in Vietnam Doubles to $1.4B in 2013

Natural disasters caused a damage worth VND30 trillion ($1.4 billion) to Vietnam in 2013, doubling that in the previous year. The natural calamities also left 313 dead and 1,150 others injured. The National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting said that the weather in 2013 varied extraordinarily with the highest number of storms to date; the tide hit the highest level over the past 60 years; the central and Central Highlands saw strong floods; and unusual snowfall took place in the northwestern region in the dry season. Vietnam is one of the five countries hardest-hit by climate change. Massive deforestation in the Central Highlands has worsened the impacts on the livelihood of local residents, especially those living in the lowlands where a sudden flood could happen as a result of hydropower operators discharging water.  (Tin Tuc Jan 2 p27, Tien Phong Jan 2 p5)