World Meteorological Day is an annual event of the United Nations, held annually on March 23 to commemorate the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization on March 23, 1920.Each year, the organization publishes a theme for World Meteorological Day. This day highlights the contributions of the National Hydrometeorological Services to the safety and well-being of society.

The theme of World Meteorological Day 2023 is “The Future of Weather, Climate, and Water across Generations”.

Climate change is becoming more common and intense in many parts of the world. Photo: Internet

As problems with climate change, weather, temperature, and water resources are becoming more common and intense in many parts of the world, more people face ever-increasing hazards. Due to population growth, urbanization, and environmental degradation.

This year, World Meteorological Day will be celebrated with various events such as symposiums, community leaders' conferences, and exhibitions for meteorologists. On this day, many awards are announced for the study of meteorology. These awards include the International Meteorological Organization (IMO) Award; Professor Dr. Vilho Vaisala Award; Norbert Gerbier-Mumm International Prize.In his message on this year's World Meteorological Day 23/3, Professor Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), emphasized, World Meteorological Day 2023 takes place in a special context. separate. This is the 150th anniversary of the founding of the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), the predecessor of WMO.

World Meteorological Day 23/3: Startled warning about weather, climate, water. Photo: Internet

During the past 150 years, national hydrometeorological agencies have collected and standardized the data that underlies the weather forecasts we enjoy. WMO's history of data exchange is a success story of scientific collaboration that secures people's lives and livelihoods.

The message of this year's World Meteorological Day 23/3 is "Future of weather, climate and water resources across generations". Information to the People's Daily, Professor, Dr. Tran Hong Thai, Director of the General Department of Meteorology and Hydrology of Vietnam, Vice President of the Asian Meteorological Association, and permanent representative of Vietnam at WMO, said: in response to the message of the World Meteorological Day 2023, Vietnam came up with a practical theme. That is: "Information on weather, climate, and water resources contributes to sustainable socio-economic development for today and in the future".

This theme aims to reflect on the ongoing and increasingly evident issues of climate change impacts on weather and water resource variability. More people face ever-increasing dangers due to population growth, urbanization, and environmental degradation. Therefore, it is necessary to act now to ensure that future generations can survive and thrive on the planet.

Sharing the meaning of this topic in the People's newspaper, Professor Tran Hong Thai said that Vietnam's propaganda theme has the meaning of affirming the value of information, weather, climate, and water resources for human health. with society. At the same time, this is a call to the responsibility of each individual in the world to show their roles and responsibilities before the present and future life to proactively adapt to climate change and minimize the negative impacts of climate change. environmental degradation. This is also an opportunity to honor the contributions of hydrometeorological agencies around the world to the protection of human life and property against the impacts of natural disasters and climate change.Professor Tran Hong Thai said that climate change is already having great impacts on water resources in Vietnam.

Specifically, heavy and especially heavy rain occurs frequently on a large scale and locally, causing major floods, inundations, flash floods, and serious landslides in many areas across the country.

Flash floods and landslides also occur more often, more fiercely in the mountains of the North, the Central Highlands and the Central region, and the heat is more intense. Photo: Internet.

It is possible to mention a particularly heavy rain that lasted 5 days in late July, and early August 2015 in Quang Ninh. In 2019, the record heavy rain in 8 days on Phu Quoc island from August 2 to August 9 reached 1,158mm, accounting for 40% of the total annual rainfall.

Most recently, the rain from October 14-16, 2022 in Hue and Da Nang, with a daily rainfall of more than 700mm recorded in Da Nang, caused serious flooding.
Flash floods and landslides also occur more frequently and more severely in the mountainous areas of the North, Central Highlands, and Central Vietnam. On April 20, 2019, the temperature observed at Huong Khe meteorological station (Ha Tinh) was 43.4 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature ever observed in Vietnam.

In just about 5 years, Vietnam has faced two particularly severe dry and drought seasons (2015/2016 and 2019/2020). Photo: Internet.

In just about 5 years, Vietnam has faced two particularly severe dry and drought seasons (2015/2016 and 2019/2020). This situation greatly affects the socio-economic and people's life.

To minimize the impacts of climate change, the hydrometeorology sector performs its assigned functions and tasks. The sector regularly monitors the manifestations of climate change, most importantly natural disasters through improving institutions and managing monitoring, forecasting, and communication. The common goal is to effectively serve natural disaster prevention and control, sustainable socio-economic development, and ensure national defense and security.

Here are the ways we can take care of World Meteorological Day:

1. Follow the local weather channel: Everyone should know what the daily weather will be like where they live. However, on World Meteorological Day, find out who makes these forecasts. Local meteorologists make an important contribution to the community.
2. Follow the WMO calendar: Every year, WMO holds a photo contest and announces the winners. The photos show how wonderful the weather can be. The WMO calendar is updated on the organization's website and is free to download.
3. Help disaster relief organizations: Early warnings can save lives, but unfortunately, they don't always exist. Hurricanes can cause millions of dollars in damage in hours, and sometimes recovery is slow. Contact your local Red Cross to find out how we can help those in need through volunteering or donating.

References: Center for Communication of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment