Northern and Central Vietnam Brace for Adverse Weather Ahead of Potential Typhoon

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting predicts that on September 9th, cold air will begin to affect the northern mountainous regions, leading to cloudy skies with rain and a cooler atmosphere in the North. Hanoi is expected to experience rain and thunderstorms from the evening of the 9th into the 10th, with localized heavy downpours possible. Nighttime temperatures are forecast to drop significantly, with minimums in the North and North-Central regions ranging from 21-24 degrees Celsius, and below 19 degrees in the northern mountainous areas. Furthermore, from the night of September 11th to the early morning of the 12th, temperatures in the northern mountainous areas and highlands could fall below 20 degrees Celsius. Specific high-altitude mountainous regions in Lào Cai, Lai Châu, and Hà Giang might even see temperatures drop below 15 degrees Celsius, potentially marking an unusually cold spell for this time of year. Meanwhile, the Central region is bracing for heavy rainfall starting from September 10th. This is attributed to a tropical convergence zone passing through central Vietnam. There is a high probability, around 70-80%, of a tropical depression forming in the central East Sea between the 12th and 13th, with a 30-40% chance of it strengthening into a typhoon. The combined meteorological factors are expected to bring widespread moderate to heavy rainfall across the Central region from September 10th to the 17th. Areas from Thanh Hóa to Huế, the Central Highlands, and the South could experience rainfall ranging from 70-150mm, with localized areas receiving over 250mm. Intense rainfall exceeding 100mm within a three-hour period is also a concern. The heavy rainfall in the Central region may persist and become more complex from September 12th onwards. Heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds pose risks to agricultural production, can cause trees to fall, and damage houses and infrastructure. Localized heavy rainfall could also trigger flash floods in small rivers, landslides on steep slopes, and inundation in low-lying areas. In response, the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has instructed coastal provinces and cities to closely monitor the forecasts for tropical depressions and strong winds at sea, ensuring the safety of vessels. For the heavy rainfall in the Central region, the committee has urged timely information dissemination to local authorities and the public, along with preparedness for evacuation from high-risk areas and readiness for local recovery efforts. Source: The Saigon Times