An unsettled weather pattern is bringing the parts from Quang Binh to Quang Ngai, including Da Nang, widespread thundery showers with localized heavy falls, continuing through Monday, September 18, under the influence of a low pressure trough, according to the Mid-Central Region Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

On Saturday, showers with scattered thunderstorms at most places with moderate to heavy falls at isolated places during afternoon and evening hours are likely over the warning areas, including Da Nang. Rain amounts are forecast to generally average between 15mm and 40 mm with more than 70mm possible in some places.

Regional weather forecasters have also issued warnings of flash floods and landslides for mountainous areas, and localized flooding alerts are in place in low-lying and urban areas. Thunderstorms can produce tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong winds in the warning areas, regional forecasters has warned.

Regional forecasters has issued a warning for showers and thunderstorms for the open waters off the Quang Binh - Quang Ngai coast, including Da Nang, and the waters of the Hoang Sa Archipelago during the said period. These storms will have a good potential to become severe, producing large hail and damaging winds.

Warning for thunderstorms and strong winds has been issued for all vessels operating in the above-metioned areas.

Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions.

Meteorologists at the Regional Weather Service are urging authorities at local level and relevant agencies to take proactive and necessary mitigation measures in response to thunderstorms that can produce tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong winds, greatly affecting the production and social life in order to minimize losses owing to thunderstorms. High pripority should be given to taking all necessary measures in response to localised heavy rain which could trigger flooding in low-lying and urban areas.

Focus must be must 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, 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 authorities at local level in affected areas must take proactive and necessary mitigation measures in response to strong winds at sea.

Focus must be paid to keeping a close watch on severe weather development, and keeping 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.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP – Translating by H.L