Da Nang is bracing for another spell of torrential rain with the Mid-Central Region Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting predicting widespread heavy rain in the city from late Wednesday afternoon into Saturday, December 3. A weather warning for rain is in place for Da Nang from December 4 -5 with heavy dowpours expected to linger due to the combined effects of the intensified cold air and upper level easterly winds.

Regional forecasters indicate heavy rainfall of 100mm to 200mm in Hoa Vang and Cam Le districts, and even in excess of 250mm at isolated places. The districts of Son Tra, Ngu Hanh Son, Lien Chieu, Thanh Khe and Hai Chau could receive between 150mm and 250mm of rain, with more than 300mm possible in some places.

The regional weather service has issued heavy rain advisory, indicating the affected areas and the expected rainfall to alert the public of potential flooding due to heavy rain in the warning areas, so as to take precautionary measures. Regional forecasters also reminds affected areas to take appropriate responsive actions to alleviate the impact of flooding in concerned areas.

Thunderstorms can produce tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong winds, regional forecasters has warned. 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. Therefore, mitigation measures are needed to cope with heavy rain which could trigger flooding in low-lying and riverside areas in the coming days.

The Da Nang Steering Committee for Disaster Response and Search and Rescue is urging authorities at local level and relevant units to take appropriate precautionary measures to cope with floods, flash floods, landslides brought by heavy downpours, as well as and minimise losses owing to heavy rain. The focus should be attached to ensuring the safety of the reservoirs, releasing the surplus water and protecting the dams, desilting canals, and facilitating the recharge of ground water besides avert damage due to floods.

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. High priority should be given to evacuating people from riverside properties along Yen, Tuy Loan, and Cu De rivers, plus those living in Hoa Khanh Nam, Hoa Hiep Bac and Hoa Hiep Nam wards, all in Lien Chieu District, Thanh Khe District’s Thanh Khe Tay Ward, Cam Le District’s Hoa Tho Dong Ward, Hai Chau District’s Hoa Thuan Tay Ward, along with other high risk areas for flash floods and landslides in line with municipal government-approved plan in an effort to protect the safety of local people during bad weather.

Heed must be paid to deploying personnel to deeply flooded streets to set up vehicle barriers to stop driving through deep water in order to ensure the safety of road users. Importance must be attached to resolutely banning people from travelling or fishing on rivers, low-lying areas, flooded areas, underground passages, flooded bridges, forests, mountains and landslide prone areas.

Special attention must be paid to taking proactive measures to immediately cut off power supply in deeply flooded areas, reinforce electric concrete poles to prevent falling in inclement weather conditions, ensure power supply for flood control pumping stations, and restore power as quickly and as safely as possible to affected areas.

High priority must be given to keeping 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, importance must be attached to assisting schools across the city, especially in flood-prone areas, to prepare for heavy rains in an attempt to ensure the safety of their students as well as reduce the risk of possible damages.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP – Translating by H.L