An X-band radar from Japan's Weathernews Inc. has been installed at the Hoai Duc Agricultural Meteorological Station in Hanoi to provide early warning of heavy rainfall in the capital and surrounding areas.

Hoang Duc Cuong, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration (VNMHA) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), said at the handover ceremony this week that both sides would make a specific plan to operate the radar and seek resources to maintain its long-term operation.

"The X-band radar, together with 13 existing radars across the country, will be an important tool to perfect the radar network for monitoring and forecasting, early warning of natural disasters, especially storms, heavy rains, flash floods, among others," Cuong said.

An image of X-band weather radar. Photo: asin.com.vn

He underlined that the weather forecasting system of Vietnam's hydrometeorological sector had been recognized by the United Nations.

Kusabiraki Chihito, CEO of Weathernews Inc. said the Japanese Government and Weathernews Inc. have supported Vietnam with X-band radar to improve the ability to observe, forecast and warn of natural disasters.

He said the company uses big data and other advanced technologies in forecasting and analysis, which contributes to improving the accuracy of weather forecasting. 

He proposed a cooperation plan with the VNMHA to develop a highly accurate three-hour forecast for severe weather conditions, stressing that this plan would actively support disaster prevention and mitigation efforts, reduce risks, and improve productivity for various socio-economic sectors.

Hanoi has been selected by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to host a support center capable of providing reliable severe weather forecasts for countries in Southeast Asia.

The Regional Forecast Support Center (RFSC) project is part of a WMO initiative to improve the ability of nations to mitigate the damage caused by severe weather events.

Forecasts from RFSC Hanoi are used daily by ASEAN member countries, supporting weather forecasting in the region and sharing models that help warn of dangerous weather phenomena in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines and, most recently, Myanmar.

According to Tran Hong Thai, deputy director of the General Department of Meteorology, the center receives support from meteorological data from a network of similar centers around the world, including the United States, Japan, and some European countries.

"As Vietnam suffers from more than ten tropical storms a year on average, the support center is expected to help fine-tune the country's future forecasts for better typhoon mitigation," Thai said.