Heavy rain, flash flooding and landslides are expected in Da Nang over the next 3 days, according to the Mid-Central Region Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting’s warning.

Da Nang is set for another spell of torrential rain with the regional weather service predicting widespread heavy rain in the city from Thursday into Saturday, January 7.

The heavy rain in the city could see between 70mm and 130mm fall in Hoa Vang, and Cam Le districts, with up to more than 150mm possible in some places.

As much as 50mm-100mm of rain could fall in Son Tra, Ngu Hanh Son, Lien Chieu, Thanh Khe and Hai Chau districts, and even more than 130 mm 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 remind affected areas to take appropriate responsive actions to alleviate the impact of flooding in concerned areas.

Regional forecasters have also issued warnings of flash floods and landslides for mountainous areas, and localized flooding alerts are in place in low-lying areas in Da Nang. Therefore, mitigation measures are needed to cope with heavy rain which could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in moutainous areas in the coming days.

A high wind warning is in effect for the waters of the Hoang Sa Islands on Wednesday as this area could see strong northeasterly winds of level 6, gustiness of levels 7 to 8, rough seas with waves as high as 3-5m. Strong northeasterly winds at level 5, sometimes at level 6, and the gusts reaching level 7, as well as rough seas with waves as high as 2-4m are in forecast for the open waters off the Quang Binh – Quang Ngai Coast, including Da Nang.

Regional forecasters have issued warnings of strong winds and big waves to all vessels and fishermen operating at the above-mentioned affected areas. In addition, the severe weather conditions will bring fears of coastal erosion for the parts from Quang Binh to Quang Ngai, including Da Nang.

The Da Nang Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue and Civil Defence is urging authorities at local level and relevant units to take appropriate precautionary measures to prevent flooding and minimise losses owing to heavy rain. The focus should be attached to facilitating the recharge of ground water in addition to averting damage due to floods.

The Da Nang Border Guard Command is asked to work with Da Nang Coastal Information Station to 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. Special attention must be given to 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.

Heed must be must keeping a close watch on severe weather development, and keeping 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 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.

Reporting  by NAM TRAN – Translating by H.L