Viet Nam’s National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control is urging authorities in coastal parts from Quang Ninh to Phu Yen, including Da Nang, to take proactive and necessary mitigation measures in response to strong winds at sea, tornadoes and hail plus heavy rain which could trigger flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas and flooding in low-lying and riverside areas in the coming days.

Viet Nam’s National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting has issued a cold and wet weather alert for Northern and Central regions from Tuesday evening due to the combined influence of a low pressure trough and cold front.

The national weather forecasters said that a cold front is ushering a cold airmass into Central Viet Nam. The strong cold front will allow temperatures to drop significantly in the northern region from early Wednesday, March 23.

Showers with a chance of thunderstorms are forecast for Northern region and North Central Coast on Wednesday with moderate to heavy rain likely in some places. The Mid-Central Region, including Da Nang, will see showers on Wednesday with possibility of thunderstorms in some places. Thunderstorms can produce tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong winds.

Cold temperatures are expected to strike the northern region from Wednesday, March 23 as temperatures are predicted to drop to 16 to 19 degrees Celsius, and 13 to 15 degrees Celsius in its mountainous areas.

Forecasters have also issued warnings of flash floods and landslides for mountainous areas and localized flooding alerts are in place in low-lying and riverside areas.

From Tuesday night, by the coastal areas of Northern Viet Nam they will see high winds at level 4, and farther inland you could find northeast winds at levels 2 to 3.

From Wednesday, the Gulf of Tonkin and the Northern East Sea (including the waters of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago), could witness strong cold northeasterly wind at level 6, and the gusts reaching levels 7 to 8, as well as experience rough seas with waves as high as 1.5m-2.5m and 2m-3m respectively.

On Tuesday, cloudy skies are expected in the parts from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien-Hue while showers are predicted during the late afternoon and night hours with thunderstorms likely in some places. Thunderstorms can produce strong winds, lightning, hail and tornadoes, the national forecasters warned. Maximum temperatures in these areas are expected to hover around 30-33 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperature will be in the range of 22-25 degrees Celsius.

Today expects the sky to remain mostly cloudy across the parts from Da Nang to Binh Thuan with the chance of showers and thunderstorms during late afternoon and night hours in some places. Temperatures in these areas can expect lows of 24 to 27 degrees Celsius and highs of 30 to 33 degrees Celsius, even above 33 degrees Celsius in some places.

Sunshine is forecast for the Central Highlands and there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms during late afternoon and night hours in some places. Maximum and minimum temperatures will hover around 30-33 degrees Celsius and 19-22 degrees Celsius.

There are also warnings of thunderstorms, lightning strikes, high winds, tornadoes and hail in these areas.

The authorities in the warning areas must keep a close watch on severe weather development, and keep owners of vessels operating at sea timely informed about severe weather conditions in order to help them take the initiative to avoid dangerous areas or seek safe shelters during the bad weather. The focus must be on making the resources available in order to organize timely rescue of any person in distress at sea and provide timely support for those who need it during severe weather.

In addition, the heed must be paid on assisting local residents to prepare for severe weather in an attempt to keep them safe and protect their properties. In addition, all necessary measures are needed to move people living in low-lying areas, along rivers and streams and areas at high risk of flash floods and landslides to safe places with proper precautions against COVID-19 in place.

Reporting by Vietnam⁺ - NAM TRAN – Translating by H.L