Hanoi (VNA) - Water and climate have a close relationship andaddressing problems in water resources was the key to better adaptation andlimiting the negative effects of climate change, a senior official has said.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh recentlysent the message to organisations to mark World Water Day (WWD), March 22 andWorld Meteorological Day (WMD), March 23.

The United Nations chose 'Water and Climate Change' as the theme for the WWDand WMD this year.

In Vietnam, Thanh said, climate change happens every day and every hour leavingserious consequences including drought, saline intrusion and floods indifferent areas.

It also proves that water resources are seriously and directly affected byclimate change leading to problems of livelihood, economy and environment, hesaid.

Extreme weather issues such as flood, drought and saline intrusion haveoccurred more frequently and unpredictably, directly affecting surface waterand groundwater resources.

UNICEF data shows that nearly a third of the world’s total population cannotaccess clean and safe drinking water.

Thanh said that with the theme for WWD and WMD this year, global rainfallmonitoring measurements to build a common data system for different purposeswas imperative. The purposes included scientific research and water resourcesmanagement to optimal use of water for socio-economic development and naturaldisaster prevention.

To ensure water resources security and sustainable development, watermanagement should focus on building and conducting projects on national waterresources and water resources in river valleys, he said.

Management organisations should improve supervision on water exploitation anduse. Reservoir operation must strictly follow processes issued by the PrimeMinister to ensure essential water use demand and limit the consequences offloods and droughts.

Measures to reduce pollution in rivers must be employed and investment in thewastewater treatment industry should be encouraged.

Deputy Minister Thanh called for more care from the community and policymakersto resolve water resources issues.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will complete legalprocedures and policies for the development of meteorological work towards ameteorological industry in Vietnam.

The ministry will also improve human resources for meteorological work and givepriority to meteorological observation network automation.

The amount of measuring stations in rivers and climate radars will be increasedto improve forecast quality.

Thanh said that to use water resources effectively and sustainably, cooperationfrom all of society was needed.

Each resident should use water economically every day and improve awareness onwater resources protection, an essential contribution to water management andcoping with climate change, he said./.