Viet Nam’s National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting has warned that heavy to very heavy rain and thunderstorm, accompanied by tornadoes, lightning, and hail, are likely to lash Central Viet Nam and Central Highlands from Thursday into Saturday, April 2.

The total rainfall amount will be 200mm-350mm in common in parts from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai, including Da Nang while more than 400mm of rain could fall in some places.

Rainfall warnings have also been issued for a widespread soaking rain that could dump as much as 150mm-250mm of rain in the parts from Ha Tinh to Quang Binh, and even more than 300mm in some places.

Viet Nam’s National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control is urging authorities in coastal parts from Nghe An to Binh Thuan, including Da Nang, and Central Highlands to take proactive and necessary mitigation measures in response to unseasonal heavy rain which could trigger flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas and flooding in low-lying and riverside areas in the coming days.

National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has issued a flood watch warning for Central Viet Nam and Central Highlands as heavy rainfall could trigger flood-like situation which occured in late March 2015.

The authorities in the warning areas must keep a close watch on severe weather development, and keep local residents timely informed about severe weather conditions in order to help them protect their property from heavy rains and flooding. In addition, the heed must be paid on assisting local residents to prepare for heavy rains in an attempt to reduce the risk of possible damages. 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. Special attention must be given to making the resources available in order to drain rainwater from agricultural fields, low-lying areas, urban areas, most densely populated areas, industrial zones and other areas most at-risk of flooding in an effort to reduce costly damage to crops and property.

The national weather forecasters said that a cold front is ushering a cold airmass into Southern Viet Nam. The strong cold front will allow temperatures to drop significantly in the northern region from Thursday evening, March 31.

Thursday into Saturday, moderate to heavy rain with a chance of thunderstorms are forecast for North Central Coast and Mid-Central Region, including Da Nang, during late afternoon and night hours with very heavy rain likely in some places. Thunderstorms can produce tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong winds.

Freezing temperatures are expected to strike the northern region from Thursday night, March 31 as temperatures are predicted to drop to 14 to 17 degrees Celsius, and below 12 degrees Celsius in its mountainous areas.

From Friday, April 1, temperatures in the parts from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien Hue are expected to dip to 15 to 18 degrees Celsius.

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 Thursday night, by the coastal areas they will see high winds at levels 4 to 5, and farther inland you could find northeast winds at level 3.

From Friday, 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 levels 6 to 7, and the gusts reaching levels 8 to 9, as well as experience rough seas with waves as high as 4-6m.

From Friday night, the offshore areas stretching from Quang Tri to Ca Mau, including Da Nang, will see gradually increasing winds at levels 6 to 7, and gustiness of levels 8 to 9, and experience rough seas with waves as high as 4-6m.

Scattered rains are in forecast over the parts from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien Hue with a chance of fog or light fog formation in the early morning hours. These areas will see cold temperatures for the morning and night hours. Temperatures in these areas can expect lows of 20 to 23 degrees Celsius and highs of 23 to 26 degrees Celsius and even above 26 degrees Celsius in some places.

Cloudy skies are expected in the parts from Da Nang to Binh Thuan while showers with a chance of scattered thunderstorms are predicted during the late afternoon and night hours with moderate to heavy rainfall likely in some places. Maximum temperatures in these areas are expected to hover around 29-32 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperature will be in the range of 20-23 degrees Celsius.

Showers and scattered thunderstorms are forecast for the Central Highlands during late afternoon and night hours with moderate to heavy downpour likley in some places. Maximum and minimum temperatures will hover around 29-32 degrees Celsius and 20-23 degrees Celsius.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP - baotintuc – Translating by H.L