Central localities from Quang Binh to Phu Yen, including Da Nang, along with the northern part of the Central Highlands will experience heavy downpours, which will subside starting from 6 December.

Many areas in the mountainous district of Dong Xuan in Phu Yen Province were flooded due to prolonged heavy rainfall. — VNA/VNS Photo The Lap

This matter is due to the intensified cold front from the north in combination with wind turbulence at a high altitude.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the prolonged rain will worsen the already near-peak floods in rivers throughout the central region.  Flash floods and landslides, as a result, can be expected in the mountainous areas such as Ba To, Minh Long, Son Tay, and Tay Tra communes of Quang Ngai Province; An Lao and Hoai An of Binh Dinh Province; Chu Se, Dak Po, Ia Pa, Chu Puh, Krong Pa, and Phu Thien of Gia Lai Province.

Flat lands from Quang Ngai to Phu Yen provinces, including Da Nang, are expected  to continue to be inundated, especially in Hoai An, Hoai Nhon, An Nhon township and Quy Nhon City of Binh Dinh Province; Phu Hoa, Tuy An, and Phu Yen Province’s Tuy Hoa City.

Currently, important reservoirs in the Central region and the Central Highlands are filled to the brim, whilst the heavy rain shows no signs of letting up, raising safety concerns in the region.

In Phu Yen Province, the Song Hinh River Hydropower Plant is discharging 4,654cu.m of water per second, while Ba River Hydropower Plant, in one hour (from 6:45am to 7:45am) has increased flood discharge by 900cu.m per second and is releasing water at the rate of 4,100cu.m per second.

Mr Chau Van Dung, a 57-year-old resident from mountainous Dong Xuan Commune of Phu Yen, meanwhile, went missing while crossing the flooded stream late night on December 3. Authorities have deployed search and rescue forces to find him.

Due to the impacts of the cold spell, weather over the northern seas – Gulf of Tonkin and northern part of the East Sea – continues to be unfavourable, and winds up to gale 7 (50-60km/h) and waves as high as 2-4m can be expected.

The southern region may experience scattered thunderstorms with high humidity, keeping the temperature at a moderately hot level of a maximum 32 degrees Celsius.

Due to the rising tides, water levels of Mekong River and Sai Gon River are continuing to increase, threatening waterlogging in low-lying and riverside areas in HCM City, Can Tho City and Vinh Long City.

(Source: VNS/ DA NANG Today)