According to Viet Nam’s National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF), heavy downpours are being seen across Central Viet and are expected to continue through Sunday, September 25.

The National Weather Service predicts that North Central Coast and Mid-Central region is bracing for another spell of torrential rain from September 27 - 29.

Meteorologists at NCHMF are tracking a tropical depression that formed off the coast of the Philippines. The system is expected to further strengthen into a tropical storm, and the potential storm, packing maximum sustained winds of levels 9 to 10 and and the gusts as high as level 12 is likely to enter the East Sea from September 26. The potential storm will continue to gain strength, and it is likely to hit Central Viet Nam.

NCHMF predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall of 200-350mm with thunderstorm chance over the parts from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri from Friday into Saturday night with more than 400mm possible in some places. In addition, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected across the delta and coastal areas of the Northern region and the parts from Thua Thien Hue to Binh Dinh, including Da Nang, during the two days. The total rainfall amount will be 60-120mm in common in these areas while more than 150mm of rain could fall in some places.

The forecaster has warned that there will be showers with thunderstorms in the parts from Phu Yen to Binh Thuan, Central Highlands and Southern Viet Nam during daytime and night hours on Friday. The national forecasters indicate heavy rainfall of 20 to 40mm, and even more than 100mm at isolated places. The chance for thundery showers is likely in these areas during the afternoon and evening hours.

Best chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms will be likely at most places across the midland and mountainous areas of the Northern region. Localized rainfall accumulations could reach 15-30mm and localized accumulations in excess of 50mm are possible today.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely over the parts from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri while moderate to heavy rain is forecast across parts from Thua Thien Hue to Binh Dinh, including Da Nang. Wet conditions will likely to continue through Sunday, September 25.

Thundery showers will stay in the forecast for South Central Coast, Central Highlands and Southern region over next few days.

Thunderstorms can produce tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong winds in the warning areas. Forecasters have also issued warnings of flash floods and landslides for mountainous areas in the affected parts, and localized flooding alerts are in place in low-lying and riverside areas.

NCHMF also indicates the possibility of a tropical cyclone to be formed over the East Sea from September 25 to 27 but the continental tropical high pressure system is likely to weaken from September 27 to 28.

Under these conditions, scattered shower and thunderstorm at most places with heavy rainfall at isolated places are likely over the Northern region from September 27 to 29 while the delta region will see moderate to heavy rain with extremely heavy rain in some places.

From Saturday night into Sunday, heavy rainfall will be likely at most places across the parts from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien Hue while very heavy downpours are expected at isolated places. Best chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms is likely in these areas on September 26 with very heavy rainfall in some places. From September 27 to 29, these areas may witness moderate to heavy rainfall with thunderstorm chance while few places could receive very heavy rain.

A warning for showers and scattered thunderstorms with localised heavy rain has been issued for parts from Da Nang to Binh Thuan, Central Highlands and the Southern region.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP – Translating by H.L