Circular No. 35/2011/TT-BTNMT detailing the implementation of the Regulation on Tropical Depression, Typhoon, and Flood Reporting

CIRCULAR

Detailed Implementation of the Regulation on Tropical Depression, Typhoon, and Flood Warning

MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

Pursuant to Decree No. 25/2008/NĐ-CP dated March 4, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 19/2010/NĐ-CP dated March 5, 2010 and Decree No. 89/2010/NĐ-CP dated August 16, 2010;

Pursuant to Decision No. 17/2011/QĐ-TTg dated March 14, 2011 of the Prime Minister promulgating the Regulation on Tropical Depression, Typhoon, and Flood Warning;

At the proposal of the Director of the Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change Department and the Head of the Legal Department,

c) Enterprises may be granted permission for no more than one block out of the total three dual-frequency blocks (FDD) B

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

This Circular stipulates the contents of warning and forecast bulletins for tropical depression, typhoon, and flood; responsibilities of agencies issuing such bulletins; responsibilities for providing bulletins to agencies in charge of prevention and response, mass media, and the community; responsibilities of agencies receiving warning and forecast bulletins; and issuance of permits for warning and forecasting activities related to tropical depression, typhoon, and flood.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to the following subjects:

1. Agencies and organizations under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

2. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control, National Committee for Search and Rescue.

3. People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities.

4. Departments of Natural Resources and Environment of provinces and centrally governed cities (hereinafter referred to collectively as Departments of Natural Resources and Environment).

5. Owners of hydropower and irrigation reservoir projects.

6. Other agencies, organizations, and individuals related to warning and forecasting activities for tropical depression, typhoon, and flood within Vietnam's territory and territorial waters.

Chapter II
CONTENTS OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION, TYPHOON, AND FLOOD WARNINGS

Article 3. Contents of Tropical Depression Warning near the South China Sea, Tropical Depression Warning over the South China Sea, Typhoon Warning near the South China Sea, Typhoon Warning over the South China Sea, and Typhoon Warning near the Coast

1. Summary Information

a) The bulletin title according to Articles 4 and 5 of the Regulation on Tropical Depression, Typhoon, and Flood Warning issued together with Decision No. 17/2011/QĐ-TTg dated March 14, 2011 of the Prime Minister (hereinafter referred to as the Regulation), followed by the identification number of the typhoon determined based on the sequence of typhoons active in the South China Sea during the year. No identification number shall be assigned to tropical depressions (hereinafter referred to as TD) or typhoons near the South China Sea.

b) Current status of TD and typhoon at the most recent time point with the following elements:

- Time and location of the center of TD and typhoon according to longitude and latitude coordinates with accuracy up to 1/10 degree. When it is not possible to locate the center of TD at a specific coordinate point, determine the center of TD within a square grid with each side measuring 1 degree of longitude and latitude;

- Distance from the center of TD and typhoon to the nearest specific location (island, mainland of Vietnam or neighboring countries);

- Maximum wind speed in the vicinity of the center of TD and typhoon accompanied by gusts (if any) according to Beaufort scale.

c) Forecast for the next 24 hours with the content prescribed in Point b Clause 1 Article 3 of this Circular and additional information on the direction and speed of movement of TD and typhoon.

d) In Typhoon Warning near the South China Sea, Typhoon Warning over the South China Sea, and Typhoon Warning near the Coast, supplement the following contents:

- Forecast for the period from 24 to 48 hours ahead with the content prescribed in Point b Clause 1 Article 3 of this Circular and additional information on the direction and speed of movement of typhoon;

- Warning for the period from 48 to 72 hours ahead regarding the direction and speed of movement of typhoon.

đ) Impact of TD and typhoon in the next 24 hours.

e) Trajectory of typhoon, radius of strong winds, and error margin by image.

g) Time of the next bulletin release

(Bulletin content according to Model 1 and 2).

2. Detailed Information

a) Bulletin title according to Point a Clause 1 Article 3 of this Circular.

b) Current status of TD and typhoon at the most recent time point with the following elements:

- Development of TD and typhoon in the past 12 or 24 hours regarding direction and speed of movement (change of direction, faster, slower, stationary), intensity of TD (strengthening, weakening, little change...);

- Time and location of the center of TD and typhoon according to longitude and latitude coordinates with accuracy up to 1/10 degree. When it is not possible to locate the center of TD at a specific coordinate point, determine the center of TD within a square grid with each side measuring 1 degree of longitude and latitude;

- Distance from the center of TD and typhoon to the nearest specific location (island, mainland of Vietnam or neighboring countries);

- Maximum wind speed in the vicinity of the center of TD and typhoon accompanied by gusts (if any) according to Beaufort scale.

c) Forecast for the next 24 hours with the following factors:

- Direction and speed of movement of TD and typhoon;

- Time and location of the center of TD and typhoon;

- Distance from the center of TD and typhoon to the nearest specific location (island, mainland of Vietnam or neighboring countries);

- Potential development regarding intensity of TD and typhoon in the next 24 hours.

d) In Typhoon Warning near the South China Sea, Typhoon Warning over the South China Sea, and Typhoon Warning near the Coast, supplement the following contents:

- Forecast for the period from 24 to 48 hours ahead with the content prescribed in Point c Clause 2 Article 3 of this Circular;

- Warning for the period from 48 to 72 hours ahead regarding the direction and speed of movement of typhoon.

đ) Impact of TD and typhoon in the next 24 hours.

e) Trajectory of typhoon, radius of strong winds, and error margin by image.

g) Time of the next bulletin release.

(Bulletin content according to Model 3 and 4).

Article 4. Content of Coastal Tropical Depression Warning and Emergency Typhoon Warning

1. Summary Information

a) Bulletin title according to Point a Clause 1 Article 3 of this Circular.

b) Current status of TD and typhoon at the most recent time point with the following elements:

- Time and location of the center of the tropical depression or typhoon according to longitude and latitude coordinates with accuracy up to 1/10 degree;

- Distance from the center of the tropical depression or typhoon to the nearest point on the mainland coast of our country;

- Maximum wind speed in the vicinity of the center of TD and typhoon accompanied by gusts (if any) according to Beaufort scale.

c) Forecast for the next 24 hours with the content prescribed at Point b Clause 1 Article 4 of this Circular and supplementing the direction and speed of movement of the tropical depression or typhoon.

d) In the Emergency Typhoon Warning, supplement the following contents:

- Forecast for the period of 24 to 48 hours ahead with the content prescribed at Point b Clause 1 Article 4 of this Circular and supplementing the direction and speed of movement of the typhoon;

- Warning for the period from 48 to 72 hours ahead regarding the direction and speed of movement of typhoon.

đ) Impact of the tropical depression or typhoon in the next 24 hours. In case the tropical depression or typhoon has the potential to directly affect our country within the next 24 hours, forecast the time and place name (province, centrally governed city) that may be directly affected, possibility of strong winds, large waves due to the typhoon (height), storm surge (height), moderate rain, heavy rain.

e) Trajectory of typhoon, radius of strong winds, and error margin by image.

g) Time of the next bulletin release

(Content of the bulletin according to Model 5 and 6).

2. Detailed Information

a) Bulletin title according to Point a Clause 1 Article 3 of this Circular.

b) Current status of TD and typhoon at the most recent time point with the following elements:

- Development of TD and typhoon in the past 12 or 24 hours regarding direction and speed of movement (change of direction, faster, slower, stationary), intensity of TD (strengthening, weakening, little change...);

- Time and location of the center of the tropical depression or typhoon according to longitude and latitude coordinates with accuracy up to 1/10 degree;

- Distance from the center of the tropical depression or typhoon to the nearest point on the mainland coast of our country;

- Maximum wind speed in the vicinity of the center of TD and typhoon accompanied by gusts (if any) according to Beaufort scale.

c) Forecast for the next 24 hours with the content prescribed at Point b Clause 2 Article 4 of this Circular.

d) In the Emergency Typhoon Warning, supplement the following contents:

- Forecast for the period of 24 to 48 hours ahead with the content prescribed at Point b Clause 2 Article 4 of this Circular;

- Warning for the period of 48 to 72 hours ahead regarding the direction and speed of movement of the typhoon.

đ) Impact of the tropical depression or typhoon in the next 24 hours. In case the tropical depression or typhoon has the potential to directly affect our country within the next 24 hours, forecast the time and place name (province, centrally governed city) that may be directly affected, possibility of strong winds, large waves due to the typhoon (height), storm surge (height), moderate rain, heavy rain.

e) Trajectory of typhoon, radius of strong winds, and error margin by image.

g) Time of the next bulletin release

(Content of the bulletin according to Model 7 and 8).

Article 5. Content of Tropical Depression and Typhoon Warnings for Provincial and Central City Flood Prevention and Control Work (applicable to Regional Meteorological and Hydrological Stations and Provincial/Central City Meteorological and Hydrological Centers)

1. Content of Tropical Depression and Typhoon Warnings near the South China Sea, Tropical Depression and Typhoon Warnings over the South China Sea, Typhoon Warnings near the South China Sea, Typhoon Warnings over the South China Sea, and Typhoon Warnings near the Coast.

a) Basic information content as prescribed in Article 3 of this Circular.

b) Supplementing additional forecast on the potential impact of the tropical depression or typhoon in the next 24 hours on provinces/cities (for Regional Meteorological and Hydrological Stations) or districts/counties (for Provincial Meteorological and Hydrological Centers) assigned responsibility.

(Content of the bulletin according to Model 9 and 10).

2. Content of Coastal Tropical Depression Warnings and Emergency Typhoon Warnings

a) Basic information content as prescribed in Article 4 of this Circular.

b) Supplementing additional content:

- Distance from the center of the tropical depression or typhoon to the nearest point in the area (or province) assigned responsibility;

- Forecast on the potential impact of the tropical depression or typhoon in the next 24 hours on provinces/cities (for Regional Meteorological and Hydrological Stations) or districts/counties (for Provincial Meteorological and Hydrological Centers) assigned responsibility. In case the tropical depression or typhoon has the potential to directly affect the country within the next 24 hours, forecast the time and place name of the province/city centrally governed city (for Regional Meteorological and Hydrological Stations) or district/county (for Provincial Meteorological and Hydrological Centers) that may be directly affected, possibility of strong winds, large waves due to the typhoon (height), storm surge (height), moderate rain, heavy rain.

(Content of the bulletin according to Model 11 and 12).

Article 6. Content of Flood Information

1. Flood Warning Information

a) Bulletin title as prescribed in Article 6 of the Regulation, accompanied by the name of the region/river/location potentially experiencing floods.

b) Characteristics of rainfall conditions in the region:

- Preliminary information about the weather pattern likely to cause heavy rain in the region or river basin (or other causes of abnormal flooding such as dam failure, water release from reservoirs, etc.);

- Information about the region or river basin potentially experiencing heavy rain, intensity of rain, extent of rainfall, etc.;

- Information about the possible time frame for heavy rain.

c) Potential for flooding in the region:

- Information about the time and region or river basin where flooding may occur (estimated start time of flood rise for each region, river basin, or at the location of the bulletin issuance);

- Level of flooding that may occur in the region or river basin;

- Warning of dangerous situations that may occur in the region or river basin such as flash floods, landslides, and flooding.

d) Time of bulletin issuance

(Content of the bulletin according to Model 13).

2. Flood Information and Emergency Flood Information

a) Bulletin title as prescribed in Article 6 of the Regulation, accompanied by the name of the region/river/location issuing the bulletin.

b) Actual flood situation in the past 24 hours (or between two bulletins) and measured water level data at the latest time:

- Information on peak flood already occurred including: river name, location, value, time of occurrence, comparison with flood warning levels, recent major floods or historical floods (if necessary);

- Information on the development, status, and level of flooding in the region/river/location experiencing flooding up to the latest received information;

- Measured water level data at the latest time including river name, location, value, time, comparison with flood warning levels, recent major floods or historical floods (if necessary).

c) Assessment of flood development and level in the forecast period:

- Assessment of the time when peak flood may occur at forecasted locations within the forecast period and predicted peak flood values. Comparison with flood warning levels, recent major floods or historical floods (if necessary);

- Assessment of trends, levels, and developments in the region, river basin, or specific location in the next 12 to 24 hours.

d) Flood water level forecast:

- Forecast of flood water levels at locations experiencing floods as prescribed in Appendix II and III of this Circular. Specify location, river system, time, forecasted water level/discharge value. Comparison with flood warning levels, recent major floods or historical floods (if necessary);

- Warning of dangerous situations that may occur in specific areas such as flash floods, landslides, and flooding levels.

đ) Time of bulletin issuance

- Time of bulletin issuance;

- Next time of bulletin issuance.

(Content of the bulletin according to Model 14).

Chapter III
METHODS OF PROVIDING INFORMATION ON TROPICAL DEPRESSIONS, TYPHOONS, AND FLOODS

Article 7. Providing information on tropical depression and typhoon

1. Provision of summary information on tropical depression and typhoon

a) The National Hydro-meteorological Center shall be responsible for providing summary information on tropical depression and typhoon to the following agencies within no more than 30 minutes after issuing the bulletin according to the Regulation, via Fax and agreed communication networks:

- Ministry of Information and Communications;

- Ministry of Transport;

- Voice of Vietnam;

- Vietnam Television;

- Vietnam News Agency;

- People's Army Newspaper;

- Vietnam Maritime Electronic Information Company.

b) The time of transferring the bulletin is confirmed in the record file of the sending Fax machine. In case of communication network failure, the National Hydro-meteorological Center shall coordinate with the receiving agencies to resolve the issue.

2. Provision of detailed information on tropical depression and typhoon

a) The National Hydro-meteorological Center shall be responsible for providing detailed information on tropical depression and typhoon to the following agencies within no more than 30 minutes after issuing the bulletin according to the Regulation, via Fax and agreed communication networks:

- Central Party Office;

- Government Office;

- Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control;

- National Committee for Search and Rescue;

- Ministry of National Defense;

- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

- Ministry of Industry and Trade.

b) The time of transferring the bulletin is confirmed in the record file of the sending Fax machine. In case of communication network failure, the bulletin will be transferred through the express delivery system of the postal service or by the agreed method between the National Hydro-meteorological Center and the receiving agency.

3. Provision of tropical depression and typhoon information to serve the command and control work of provinces and centrally governed cities.

a) Regional Hydro-meteorological Stations and Provincial Hydro-meteorological Centers shall be responsible for providing specific tropical depression and typhoon information to provinces and centrally governed cities or districts and equivalent units to the following agencies within no more than 30 minutes after issuing the bulletin according to the Regulation, via Fax and agreed communication networks:

- Provincial Party Committee Office;

- Provincial People's Committee Office;

- Provincial Flood and Storm Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue Command Board;

- Provincial Radio and Television Station;

- Provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment;

- Daily newspaper of the province.

b) The time of transferring the bulletin is confirmed in the record file of the sending Fax machine. In case of communication network failure, the bulletin will be transferred through the express delivery system of the postal service or by the agreed method between the Regional Hydro-meteorological Stations and Provincial Hydro-meteorological Centers and the receiving agencies.

Article 8. Providing flood information

1. The National Hydro-meteorological Center, Regional Hydro-meteorological Stations, and Provincial Hydro-meteorological Centers shall be responsible for providing flood bulletins to the agencies specified in Appendix VI of the Regulation.

2. Flood warning information shall be provided when water levels in rivers are likely to reach level II warning or abnormal floods occur as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 11 of the Regulation.

3. Flood information and urgent flood information shall be provided according to the provisions of Clauses 2 and 3, Article 6 of the Regulation.

4. The provision of bulletins shall not exceed 30 minutes after issuing the bulletin according to the Regulation.

5. Methods of transferring bulletins: via Fax and agreed communication networks. In case of communication network failure, the bulletin will be transferred through the express delivery system of the postal service or by the agreed method between the National Hydro-meteorological Center, Regional Hydro-meteorological Stations, and Provincial Hydro-meteorological Centers and the receiving agencies.

6. The time of transferring the bulletin is confirmed in the record file of the sending Fax machine.

Chapter IV
RESPONSIBILITIES OF AGENCIES RECEIVING INFORMATION ON TROPICAL DEPRESSION AND TYPHOON, PROVIDING DETAILED INFORMATION, AND OPERATING RESERVOIRS

Article 9. Receiving tropical depression, typhoon, flood bulletins

1. Agencies receiving warning and forecast bulletins on tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods (as specified in Appendix VI of the Regulation) must proactively coordinate with the issuing agencies to determine the methods for receiving bulletins, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and ease of exploitation and utilization.

2. In cases where warning and forecast bulletins are not received according to the prescribed time or if the content of the bulletin is unclear, the receiving agencies must coordinate with the issuing agency to identify the cause and promptly adjust the bulletin.

Article 10. Responsibilities of owners of reservoir projects

1. For reservoirs within interconnected reservoir systems that have been approved by the Prime Minister regarding the operation procedures, the project owner is responsible for fully implementing all regulations stipulated in the approved operation procedures.

2. For other hydropower and irrigation reservoir projects equipped with gates for opening and closing

a) The project owner is responsible for fully performing the tasks of monitoring, collecting information, and data on meteorology and hydrology as prescribed in Article 9 of Chapter II of Decree No. 112/2008/NĐ-CP dated October 20, 2008, of the Government on the management, protection, and comprehensive exploitation of water resources and environmental reservoirs for hydropower and irrigation projects.

b) Prior to emergency flood discharge from the reservoir, when operational regulation against flooding occurs, or when dam failure or overtopping occurs, the project owner must immediately notify the National Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Center, Regional Hydro-meteorological Stations, and Provincial Hydro-meteorological Centers where the project is located and where areas affected by water release are situated.

c) At least six hours before operating the gates for opening or closing, the project owner must notify the National Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Center, Regional Hydro-meteorological Stations, and Provincial Hydro-meteorological Centers where the project is located and where areas affected by water release are situated about the discharge flow rate and turbine flow rate.

d) During the period of flood regulation operations, at 01:00, 07:00, 13:00, and 19:00 daily, the project owner must report to the National Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Center, Regional Hydro-meteorological Stations, and Provincial Hydro-meteorological Centers where the project is located and where areas affected by water release are situated the actual measurement data of all observations conducted in the past 24 hours:

- Upstream water level, downstream water level of the reservoir;

- Inflow volume to the reservoir, discharge volume, turbine flow volume, total downstream flow volume;

- Flood discharge plan and expected discharge volume in the next 24 hours;

- Estimated potential increase in reservoir water level and inflow volume in the next 24 hours.

đ) The above information shall be provided through one of the following methods:

- Direct communication via telephone;

- By fax;

- Transmitted via email.

Chapter V
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR REPORTING TROPICAL DEPRESSIONS, TYPHOONS, AND FLOODS

Article 11. National Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Center

Direct subordinate units to continuously monitor weather and hydrological conditions, collect and process information; issue warning and forecast bulletins on tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods; provide warning and forecast bulletins on tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods to agencies as specified in Appendix VI of the Regulation; take the lead and coordinate with receiving agencies to establish methods for transferring and receiving information, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and ease of exploitation and utilization. Specifically as follows:

1. Central Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting Center:

a) Monitor weather developments across the country, neighboring countries, and the Northwest Pacific region; collect, process information, and issue forecast bulletins on tropical depressions and typhoons active in the East Sea, or tropical depressions and typhoons active outside the East Sea but likely to move into the East Sea within the next 48 hours (Appendix I of this Circular).

b) Monitor hydrological developments on rivers within the country, transboundary rivers in Vietnam; collect, process information, and issue warning and forecast bulletins on floods on rivers within the country (Appendix II of this Circular).

c) Provide warning and forecast bulletins on tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods to central agencies specified in Appendix VI of the Regulation via fax, email, or other appropriate methods.

d) Closely cooperate with Regional Hydro-meteorological Stations and Provincial Hydro-meteorological Centers in detailing warning and forecast bulletins and related information on tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods.

đ) Lead in formulating and implementing regulations on sea wave forecasting and storm surge due to tropical depressions and typhoons.

e) Collect information on the development of tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods and forecast results to timely report to central ministries and sectors' leadership as required.

2. Meteorological and Hydrological Information Technology Center

Ensure the stable operation of specialized information networks, the Internet, and LAN to collect data and information and transmit warning and forecast bulletins on tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods through the Internet, specialized service information networks, and other appropriate methods.

3. Regional Hydro-meteorological Stations

a) Monitor weather developments within the assigned regional area, adjacent areas, and nationwide; collect, process information, and issue warning and forecast bulletins on tropical depressions and typhoons likely to affect the assigned regional area.

b) Monitor hydrological developments on rivers within the regional area and rivers flowing into the regional area from adjacent areas; collect, process information, and issue warning and forecast bulletins on floods on rivers within the regional area (Appendix III of this Circular).

c) Provide warning and forecast bulletins on tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods to provincial agencies specified in Appendix VI of the Regulation via fax, email, or other appropriate methods.

d) Exchange with the Central Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting Center in detailing warning and forecast bulletins on tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods within the assigned regional area.

đ) Detail warning and forecast bulletins on tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods for the assigned regional area.

e) Direct the provincial Meteorological and Hydrological Centers in the region to collect data, issue warnings, forecasts, transmit, disseminate information, and provide tropical depression, typhoon, and flood forecast bulletins.

4. Provincial and centrally governed city Meteorological and Hydrological Centers (belonging to regional Meteorological and Hydrological Stations).

a) Monitor weather developments within the province, in the region, or nationwide; collect, process information, and issue warning and forecast bulletins about tropical depressions and typhoons that may affect the province or city.

b) Monitor hydrological developments on rivers within the province and from neighboring provinces flowing into it; collect, process information, and issue warning and forecast bulletins about floods on rivers within the province (Annex III of this Circular).

c) Transmit warning and forecast bulletins about tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods to agencies specified in Annex VI of the Regulation via fax, email, or other appropriate methods.

d) Exchange with the regional Meteorological and Hydrological Station and the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting regarding warnings and forecasts about tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods within the province.

đ) Elaborate warning and forecast bulletins about tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods within the province. In cases where tropical depressions and typhoons do not affect the locality, issuing bulletins depends on the requirements of local agencies, departments, and sectors.

Article 12. Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology, and Environment Science

Organize the issuance of warnings and forecasts about tropical depressions, typhoons nationwide and the Red River Delta flood system using numerical models and providing them through the information network or other methods as determined by the National Meteorological and Hydrological Center.

Article 13. Vietnam Agency of Marine Zones and Islands

Direct the Sea and Weather Center to cooperate with the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting in developing and implementing regulations on wave forecasting and storm surge due to tropical depressions and typhoons.

Chapter VI
ISSUING LICENSES FOR WARNING AND FORECASTING ACTIVITIES ON TROPICAL DEPRESSIONS, TYPHOONS, AND FLOODS

The issuance of licenses for warning and forecasting activities on tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods according to Point b Clause 1 Article 12 of the Regulation is stipulated as follows:

1. Objects Engaging in Warning and Forecasting Activities on Tropical Depressions, Typhoons, and Floods

Domestic and foreign organizations and individuals participating in warning and forecasting activities on tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods on Vietnamese territory and territorial waters.

2. Scope of Warning and Forecasting Licenses for Tropical Depressions, Typhoons, and Floods

Warning and forecasting licenses for tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods are valid within the permitted area.

1. Organizations and individuals engaging in warning and forecasting activities on tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods must have a warning and forecasting license issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment according to Point b Clause 1 Article 12 of the Regulation.

2. Organizations and individuals engaging in warning and forecasting activities on tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods can only carry out activities as recorded in their licenses.

3. During operation, if organizations and individuals wish to expand the scale or scope of their warning and forecasting activities on tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods, they may apply for supplementary content in their licenses.

4. Research institutions in Vietnam studying warning and forecasting activities on tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods may disseminate experimental results on internal networks without needing a license, but the bulletin must include the phrase "Reference Bulletin" at the top.

1. Domestic organizations engaged in warning and forecasting tropical depression, typhoons, and floods must meet the following conditions:

a) Having a decision on establishment issued by a competent state agency.

b) Having technical staff with a bachelor's degree or higher in meteorology and hydrology, and at least three (03) years of practical experience in warning and forecasting meteorological and hydrological phenomena.

c) Having sources to provide real-time observation data on meteorological and hydrological factors within Vietnam for warning and forecasting purposes, and international real-time observation data on meteorological and hydrological factors provided by the World Meteorological Organization.

2. Organizations with foreign investment and foreign investors engaged in warning and forecasting tropical depression, typhoons, and floods in Vietnam must meet the conditions specified in points b and c of Clause 1 of Article 16 of this Circular.

3. Individuals granted permits for warning and forecasting tropical depression, typhoons, and floods must meet the following conditions:

a) Having a bachelor's degree or higher in meteorology and hydrology, and at least three (03) years of practical experience in warning and forecasting meteorological and hydrological phenomena.

b) Meeting the conditions specified in point c of Clause 1 of Article 16 of this Circular.

1. Organizations and individuals must submit directly or through postal service one (01) set of application files for issuing or supplementing permits for warning and forecasting tropical depression, typhoons, and floods to the National Hydro-meteorological Service Center under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (address: No. 8, Pho Dao Lang Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi City).

a) The application file for a permit includes:

- Original: One application form for issuing a permit for warning and forecasting tropical depression, typhoons, and floods according to Model No. 15 of this Circular;

- Certified copy: One decision on establishment of the organization or business registration certificate of the organization;

- Certified copy: One academic degree/certificate and labor contract of the technical staff member;

- Original: One confirmation document on having sources to provide observation data on meteorological and hydrological factors.

b) The application file for supplementing the content of a permit includes:

- Original: One application form for supplementing the content of a permit according to Model No. 16 of this Circular;

- Original: One report on the operation of warning and forecasting tropical depression, typhoons, and floods since obtaining the permit according to Model No. 18 of this Circular;

- Permit for warning and forecasting tropical depression, typhoons, and floods already issued.

2. From the date of receiving complete files as prescribed, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall be responsible for reviewing, examining, and issuing (or supplementing) permits for warning and forecasting tropical depression, typhoons, and floods to organizations and individuals meeting the conditions within a maximum period of fifteen (15) working days; in cases where the conditions for issuing or supplementing the permit are not met, a written response stating the reasons shall be given to the organizations and individuals concerned.

1. Permits for warning and forecasting tropical depression, typhoons, and floods will be reissued in the following cases: lost; torn, damaged, and unusable.

2. Organizations and individuals requesting reissue of permits for warning and forecasting tropical depression, typhoons, and floods must submit one application form for reissuing a permit according to Model No. 17 (original) of this Circular to the National Hydro-meteorological Service Center under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (address: No. 8, Pho Dao Lang, Dong Da, Hanoi City).

In case organizations and individuals lose their permits for warning and forecasting tropical depression, typhoons, and floods and find them later after reissuance, they must submit the found permits to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

3. From the date of receiving complete files as prescribed, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall be responsible for reviewing, examining, and reissuing permits for warning and forecasting tropical depression, typhoons, and floods to organizations and individuals meeting the conditions within a period of three (03) working days; in cases where the conditions for reissuing the permit are not met, a written response stating the reasons shall be given to the organizations and individuals concerned.

1. Revocation of Permit

The revocation of permits shall be carried out in the following cases:

a) An organization that is the permit holder is dissolved or declared bankrupt by the Court; an individual who is the permit holder dies, is declared dead by the Court, loses civil capacity, or is declared missing.

b) The permit is issued but not used for a continuous period of twelve (12) months without permission from the competent state agency.

c) The permit holder violates the decision to suspend the effectiveness of the permit.

d) The permit was issued beyond the authority.

2. Return of Permit

a) In cases where the permit is not used, the permit holder has the right to return the permit to the issuing authority, while providing a written explanation of the reasons to the issuing authority.

b) Organizations or individuals who have returned a permit may only be considered for a new permit after two (02) years from the date of returning the permit.

1. Suspension of Effectiveness of Permit

a) The permit shall be suspended in the following cases:

- The organization or individual granted the permit (referred to collectively as the permit holder) violates the provisions of the permit;

- The permit holder transfers the permit without authorization;

- The permit holder exploits the permit to organize activities contrary to the provisions of the permit.

b) The duration of the suspension of the permit's effectiveness is determined by the issuing authority. During the period when the permit is suspended, the permit holder does not have any rights or obligations related to the permit.

2. Termination of Effectiveness of Permit

a) The permit shall be terminated in the following cases:

- The permit is revoked;

- The permit has been returned.

b) When the permit's effectiveness is terminated, all related rights and obligations also terminate.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is the authority responsible for issuing, supplementing the content, reissuing, suspending the effectiveness, and revoking operating permits for tropical depression warning and forecast, typhoon warning, and flood forecast.

1. Provide application forms for requesting issuance, supplementation, and reissuance of permits.

2. Organize the examination and issuance, supplementation, and reissuance of operating permits for tropical depression warning and forecast, typhoon warning, and flood forecast.

3. Maintain files on the issuance of operating permits for tropical depression warning and forecast, typhoon warning, and flood forecast.

4. Deliver directly or through postal service the operating permit for tropical depression warning and forecast, typhoon warning, and flood forecast to organizations and individuals who have been granted the permit.

5. Notify in writing the Department of Natural Resources and Environment where the headquarters of the organizations and individuals who have been granted the permit are located for monitoring and inspection.

6. Regularly and randomly inspect the implementation of tropical depression warning and forecast, typhoon warning, and flood forecast activities by organizations and individuals; identify violations and handle them within their authority or propose handling according to the law.

1. Be responsible for the content of the application file for requesting issuance and supplementation of operating permits for tropical depression warning and forecast, typhoon warning, and flood forecast.

2. Be responsible for the content of warning and forecast bulletins for tropical depressions, typhoons, and floods that have been issued.

3. Pay fees as prescribed by law.

Chapter VII
IMPLEMENTATION

Article 24. Implementation Organization

1. Ministers, Heads of Ministries equivalent to ministries, Heads of government agencies, Director of the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention, Chairman of the National Search and Rescue Committee, Chairmen of provincial and municipal People's Committees under the central government, within the scope of their assigned tasks and authorities, are responsible for organizing the implementation of the provisions of this Circular and ensuring conditions for its implementation.

2. The subjects mentioned in Article 2 of this Circular are responsible for implementing this Circular.

4. The Meteorological and Hydrological Service and Climate Change Management Agency shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies and organizations under the Ministry and other related agencies and organizations to implement, inspect, and urge the implementation of this Circular nationwide. Inspections shall be conducted regularly or randomly during the year.

Article 25. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from October 15, 2011, and replaces Circular No. 11/2006/TT-BTNMT dated December 20, 2006, of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment guiding the implementation of Decision No. 245/2006/QĐ-TTg dated November 16, 2006, of the Prime Minister promulgating the Regulation on Tropical Depression Warning, Typhoon Warning, and Flood Forecast, and Circular No. 10/2011/TT-BTNMT dated April 14, 2011, of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment amending and supplementing Circular No. 11/2006/TT-BTNMT dated December 20, 2006.

2. During the implementation process, if there are difficulties or obstacles, the subjects mentioned in Article 2 of this Circular are requested to report to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for research and resolution./.