Weather forecasters in Viet Nam are predicting a particularly stormy typhoon season this year, with up to 15 typhoons and tropical depressions expected to develop over the East Sea.

Tree damage caused by a storm in Da Nang

Three to 4 are likely to make landfall in central Viet Nam, the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said in a report for the May-October rainy season. Usually Viet Nam sees around 12 typhoons and depressions a year.

It also said the probability of the El Nino weather phenomenon returning this year was around 50%, adding that its impact in the second half of 2017 might reduce typhoons and tropical depressions over the East Sea and Viet Nam.

However, El Nino would make typhoons less predictable, the weather center said.

It predicted rainfall to stay below average in the northern and central regions, while the rainy season would arrive and end in the central highlands and southern Viet Nam earlier than usual.

The latest forecast, released last Friday, contradicted an earlier assessment by a senior meteorologist at the centre, who said late last month that the rainy season would arrive later than usual.

(Source: VnExpress/ International)