An incoming cold snap will end the broiling weather in northern Viet Nam on Thursday, bringing in thunderstorms and possible flash floods, especially in mountainous areas, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has said.

Rainstorms will cool the current temperatures of up to 39 degrees Celsius in the northern region, and the wet weather will begin this evening and last until July 23, the center said.

This file photo shows a street in Ha Noi submerged after a heavy rain.

Downpours, possibly together with strong gusts and vortexes, will hit the mountainous areas of such provinces as Lang Son, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Tuyen Quang and Bac Kan.

Prolonged, heavy rains will cause the water levels of the Hong and Thai Binh Rivers to rise sharply from July 16 to 19, likely causing flash floods and landslides in Ham Yen District in Tuyen Quang Province; Hoang Su Phi District in Ha Giang Province; Bac Ha, Bat Xat, and Sa Pa Districts in Lao Cai Province; Mu Cang Chai District in Yen Bai Province; and Thuan Chau, Moc Chau and Phu Yen Districts in Son La Province.

Today, the low and high temperatures in northern Viet Nam will be 23 and over 37 degrees, the center said.

In Ha Noi, the temperature range will be from 27 to 37 degrees on Wednesday before the hot weather cools to 34 degrees tomorrow, it added.

(Source: Tuoitrenews)