Regulations on installation of automatic hydrometeorological measuring devices in Vietnam as of February 15, 2024

Regulations on installation of automatic hydrometeorological measuring devices in Vietnam as of February 15, 2024 (Internet image) 

Regarding this issue, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

On December 29, 2023, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment issued Circular 29/2023/TT-BTNMT on Technical Regulations for the operation of automatic hydrometeorological stations.

Regulations on installation of automatic hydrometeorological measuring devices in Vietnam as of February 15, 2024

The installation of automatic hydrometeorological measuring devices from February 15, 2024, will comply with the provisions of Article 5 of Circular 29/2023/TT-BTNMT, specifically as follows:

(1) Requirements:

- Automatic hydrometeorological measuring devices must be inspected and calibrated before being put into use; The inspection and calibration of automatic hydrometeorological measuring devices comply with the provisions of Article 19 of the Law on Hydrometeorology;

- Measuring instruments and auxiliary equipment for automatic hydro-meteorological stations belonging to the national hydro-meteorological station network must have characteristics and technical specifications according to the provisions in Appendix I of Circular 29/2023/TT-BTNMT and be maintained stable throughout the use process;

- Observation towers (columns) to install automatic hydro-meteorological measuring devices must be vertical, sturdy, and able to withstand all wind levels; The installation of measuring equipment must comply with the manufacturer's instructions and professional technical standards and ensure solidity, stability, and not be affected by surrounding shielding objects.

(2) Install automatic hydro-meteorological measuring devices at stations belonging to the national hydro-meteorological station network:

- Automatic surface meteorological station:

+ Sensors measuring wind direction and speed are installed on the monitoring tower (column) at a height of 10 meters to 12 meters above the ground surface; The sensor's North direction must coincide with the true North direction;

+ Sensors for measuring air temperature and air humidity are installed on the monitoring tower (column) at a height of 1.4 meters to 1.5 meters above the ground surface; Ensure not to be directly affected by rain and sunlight;

+ The atmospheric pressure sensor is installed on the monitoring tower (column) at a minimum height of 1.5 meters above the ground surface. The location of the barometric pressure sensor must be referenced to the national absolute altitude;

+ The rain measuring sensor is installed on an arm with a length of 0.7 to 1.0 meters attached to the monitoring tower (column); The rainwater catchment mouth must be horizontal and at least 1.5 meters above the ground surface;

+ The ground temperature sensor is placed on the ground surface; The sensor measures the temperature of deep soil layers located at depths: 05 centimeters, 10 centimeters, 15 centimeters, and 20 centimeters above the soil surface and ensures the sensor is in good contact with the soil layers;

+ The sunshine time measuring sensor is installed on the monitoring tower (column) at a minimum height of 1.5 meters above the ground surface, the sensor axis is placed in the north-south direction, the angle between the sensor axis and the horizontal plane must be equal to the latitude value where the sensor is located; Make sure not to be shaded from the sun during the day;

+ The distance measuring sensor is installed on the monitoring tower (column), at a height of 1.5 to 2.0 meters above the ground surface, ensuring it is not affected by shielding objects within the sensor's operating range;

+ The evaporation measuring sensor is connected to the evaporation measuring basin through a plastic or stainless steel pipe to conduct water; the evaporation measuring pot must be placed horizontally, and the distance from the mouth to the soil surface is 27 centimeters;

- High-altitude meteorological station: follow the regulations in Part 2 of the National Technical Regulation on Meteorological Observation (QCVN 46:2022/BTNMT) issued in Circular 14/2022/TT-BTNMT;

- Weather radar station and ozone - ultraviolet radiation: follow the regulations in Circular 15/2022/TT-BTNMT;

- Automatic hydrological station:

+ Water level sensor: For measuring sensors not in contact with water, they must be fixed at a position at least 1.0 meters higher than the highest water level that appears; For water contact measuring sensors, they must be permanently mounted at a location lower than the lowest historical water level that has occurred, at least 20 centimeters, and not be filled with sand and mud; The reference mark to determine the water level must refer to the national absolute height;

+ Water flow sensor: Water contact measurement sensors are securely installed on ships, boats, canoes, or structures, ensuring monitoring of the water flow of the entire river cross section at all water levels; The non-water contact measuring sensor is fixed at a position at least 1.0 meters above the highest water level that has appeared;

+ Sensor to measure suspended matter content: Depending on the features and measuring principles of each type of suspended matter content measuring device, install the sensor according to the user instructions and professional requirements;

- Automatic oceanographic station:

+ The sensor measures wind direction and speed as prescribed for automatic surface meteorological stations;

+ Sea level measuring sensor: For measuring sensors not in contact with water, they must be fixed at a position at least 1.0 meter higher than the highest wave height that has appeared; For water contact measuring sensors, they must be installed at a location at least 20 centimeters lower than the historical lowest water level and not covered by sand; The reference point to determine sea level must be referenced to the national absolute height;

+ The sensor for measuring ocean waves in contact with water must be securely installed at a depth 3 times the maximum wave height at the measurement location;

+ The sensor for measuring sea water temperature and sea water salinity must be installed or permanently mounted on the structure at a height at least 50 centimeters lower than the lowest water level;

- Automatic rain measuring station: The rain measuring sensor is installed on the monitoring column, and the rainwater mouth is guaranteed to be placed horizontally and at least 1.5 meters from the ground surface;

- Lightning location station according to technical regulations on thunderstorm and lightning monitoring;

- Automatic radiation station: The sensor is installed at a minimum height of 0.6 meters above the ground surface;

- Automatic salinity measuring station: Install measuring devices according to the instructions for use of each type of measuring device;

- Automatic reference meteorological station, automatic reference hydrographic station, automatic reference oceanographic station: Follow the regulations of the surface meteorological, hydrological, and oceanographic stations selected as reference stations.

(2) The automatic hydrometeorological station of the project must monitor hydrometeorology as prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 1 of Decree 48/2020/ND-CP:

Based on the purpose and need to use information, hydro-meteorological data, and the characteristics and properties of the project, select appropriate techniques for installing measuring instruments and ensure technical corridors; Provisions in (2) may be applied.

More details can be found in Circular 29/2023/TT-BTNMT, taking effect on March 15, 2024.

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