DISASTER SITUATION REPORT TO UNDP RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Prepared by: UNDP/MARD - DISASTER MANAGEMENT UNIT, VIE/97/002
13:00 Thursday, 23 September, 2004
Summary of Current Disaster Conditions in Vietnam

1. Flood Damage Potential: LOW IN THE NORTHERN, AND IN CENTRAL, DANGEROUS IN THE SOUTHERN RIVER SYSTEMS

2. Situation Analysis of Flood on Rivers in Vietnam:

(According to Bulletin No.118DB/TVBBO and Bulletin No.106DB/TVTNBO, issued by the Vietnam Hydro-meteorological Service in Hanoi at 10:30, 23 September 2004).

NORTHERN RIVER SYSTEMS:

Red River System:
The downstream flood water levels on the Red River are changing slowly.  At 7:00 on 23 September 2004, the flood water level at the Hanoi Gauging Station was at 4.68 meters (much below Alarm Level I = 9.50 meters).

Forecast:
The downstream flood water levels on the Red River will be reducing slowly. By 7:00 on 24 September 2004, it will likely be at 4.60 meters.

Thai Binh River System:
The downstream flood water level on the Thai Binh River is changing slowly and subjected to tidal impact. At 7:00 on 23 September 2004, the flood water level at the Pha Lai Gauging Station (Hai Duong Province) was at 1.58 meters (much below Alarm Level I = 3.50 meters).

Forecast:
The downstream flood water levels on the Thai Binh River System will be changing slowly and subjected to tidal impact. By 19:00 on 24 September 2004, the flood water level at the Pha Lai Gauging Station will likely be at 1.90 meters.

CENTRAL RIVER SYSTEMS:
The flood water level on the Ca river reached to it’s peak and started reducing, while these on rivers in North Central Vietnam and in the Central Highlands are reducing slowly. 
At 7:00 on 23 September 2004, the flood water levels on some rivers in the region were as follows:

-          Ma River (Giang Gauging Station –Thanh Hoa Province): 0.95 meter (much lower than Alarm Level I = 3.50 meters)

-          Ca River (Nam Dan Gauging Station – Nghe An Province): 5.30 meters (0.10 meters lower than Alarm Level I = 5.40 meters),

-          La River (Linh Cam Gauging Station – Ha Tinh Province): 1.81 meters (much lower than Alarm Level I = 5.40 meters),

-          Huong River (Hue Gauging Station – Hue City): 0.06 meters (0.46 meters lower than Alarm Level I = 0.50 meters),

-          Thu Bon River (Cau Lau Gauging Station – Quang Nam Province): 0.16 meters

-          Tra Khuc River (Tra Khuc Gauging Station-Quang Ngai Province): 2.20 meter (0.50 meter lower than Alarm Level I = 2.70 meters),

-          Kon River (Thach Hoa Gauging station-Binh Dinh Province): 5.97 meters (0.47 meter above Alarm Level I = 5.50 meters),

-          Serepok River (Ban Don Gauging Station-Dak Lak Province): 169.52 meters (0.08 meter lower than Alarm Level I = 169.60 meters).

Forecast:
On 24 September 2004, the flood water levels on rivers in the Central Vietnam and in the Central Highlands will be reducing. 

SOUTHERN RIVER SYSTEMS: 
The flood water level on the upstream of the Cuu Long River is rising, and those on the Plain of Reeds and the Long Xuyen Quadrangle are changing slowly. 
At 7h:00 on 23 September 2004, the highest flood water level on the Tien River at the Tan Chau Gauging Station (An Giang Province) was at 4.34 meters (0.14 meter above Alarm Level III=4.20 meters) and that on the Hau River at the Chau Doc Gauging Station (An Giang Province) was at 3.83 meters (0.33 meter above Alarm Level III=3.50 meters), at the Moc Hoa Gauging Station (Long An Province) was at 1.61 meter (0.31 meter above Alarm Level II=1.30 meter), at the Long Xuyen Gauging Station (An Giang Province) was at 2.01 meter (equal to Alarm Level II=2.00 meter).

Forecast:
The upstream flood water level on the Cuu Long River will be continuing to rise, then be changing slowly. 
By 27 September 2004, the flood water lever at the Tan Chau Gauging Station will likely be at 4.45 meters (0.25 meters above Alarm Level III = 4.20 meters); and that at the Chau Doc Gauging Station at 3.95 meters (0.45 meter above Alarm Level III = 3.50 meters). The flood water levels on the Plain of Reeds and the Long Xuyen Quadrangle will be rising again due to tidal rising period.

3. Next information: 
The next information from the Standing Office of the Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control is expected at 14:00, Friday, September 24, 2004.

4. Archives: Contact the DMU Website at: www.undp.org.vn/dmu

5. Times: All times are given in Vietnamese Standard Time (GMT+7).
Translated by Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (DMU); Edited by M. Silver (STA)