(VOV) - A seminar was held in the central city of Da Nang on September 8 to discuss a zoning plan on developing irrigation networks and hydro-electric power plants in the central region.
The event, organised by the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Association (VUSTA), was attended by representatives from Da Nang city and Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri, Ha Tinh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and Quang Binh provinces, as well as representatives from the Vietnam Irrigation and Drainage Association.
Participants heard assessments on the environmental impacts of irrigation networks and hydro-electric power plants, as well as reports on the main causes of flooding in the central region.
Delegates proposed various measures to minimise negative impacts, to ensure the safety of local people and how to create the greatest boost for economic development.
They said that in recent years the central region has been heavily affected by many natural disasters, causing huge human and material losses.
From 2005 to 2010, floods and storms in the central region have claimed nearly 1,900 lives and damaged houses and crops worth VND58.737 billion.
They also stressed the need to raise public awareness of the dangers of climate change and develop local people’s capacity to cope with natural disasters. Top priority should be given to a zoning plan on irrigation network development, they added.