World Bank (WB) experts said that Vietnam needs to improve issues related to planning and data to minimize damage caused by natural disasters.

Since the beginning of October, the central provinces of Vietnam have been hit by storms and unusually heavy rains, causing widespread flooding and landslides.

Assessing the cause of severe storms and floods, Jun Erik Rentschler, an expert on climate change and sustainable development of the World Bank, said that the rainfall is higher than the normal level every year because Vietnam is going through a cycle

Rentschler said there are some signs that heavy rains have not ended in central Vietnam.

"Disasters come about due to several factors combined, they create serious events like typhoons and floods in Vietnam that we are seeing," said Rentschler.

According to forecasts by Vietnam and internationally, another storm, Saudel, is headed for the central region.

Mr. Nguyen Huy Dung, a senior expert on natural disaster risk management of the World Bank in Vietnam, stated three reasons that storms, floods and natural disasters in general cause great damage to people and communities.

The first is the rapid development of infrastructure in vulnerable areas, especially in coastal areas.

Second is the discrete and unenforceable policy on disaster management from the central to local levels.

Third is the lack of coordination among regulators.

"If Vietnam does not improve these three problems, the damage caused by natural disasters in the coming years will be even more serious," Dung said.

Over the next 10 years, the damage caused by natural disasters in Vietnam could be as high as USD 4 billion if the government delays taking the necessary measures mentioned above, according to the report "Development of Vietnam's coastal areas - Opportunities

Meanwhile, Rentschler said that in order to limit the damage caused by natural disasters, especially storms and floods, the most common natural disaster in Vietnam, 5 problems should be improved.

Vietnam needs to improve the quality of information and data.

There is a need for an informed area plan of the risk.

"The urban planning process needs to take risks into account and be really smart," says Rentschler.

Risk calculation is required with the infrastructure system.

Rentschler noted that storms and floods in the central region recently destroyed many important infrastructure, including roads, making rescue difficult.

Vietnam needs to ensure its ecosystem, and include it in planning in its disaster response strategy.

According to Mr. Dung, Vietnam has mangrove forests and coral reefs and sand dunes which are a great resource.

A natural disaster prevention strategy is needed.

"You need to have emergency financial plans in place, allocating them for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. That means there will be no long-term damage," Rentschler said.

According to World Bank experts, if Vietnam does not address the impacts of climate change, the number of poor people in the country could increase by 1.2 million people by 2030. Rentschler noted that storms and floods cause great damage.

Rentschler argues that disaster risks will always change due to climate change and urbanization.

"The Vietnamese government needs to push forward because the risks will increase," said Rentschler.