At 8:00 am today, November 16, water levels on the Vu Gia River at the part of the Ai Nghia Hydrological Station reached 8.14m, 14cm above alarm level 2 as a result of heavy rainfall and increased water discharges from reservoirs. Hydropower plants are continuing to operate for flood reduction in the downstream of the Vu Gia River.

Heavy downpours have caused the Yen and Cam Le rivers to burst their banks, leaving some low-lying roads flooded.

Overflowing Cam Le River caused flooding in a low-lying section of Thang Long Street. Photo: HOANG HIEP

The Mid-Central Region Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting has warned that Da Nang could continue to witness moderate to heavy rainfall from 10:00 a.m. on Thursday into 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 17 with possibility of very heavy rains and thunderstorms in some places.

Between 60mm and 120mm of rain is forecast for Hoa Vang District, with some places expected to receive over 150mm. As much as 50mm -100mm of rain could fall in the remaining districts of the city, and even more than 100mm in some places.

The regional weather service has aslo issued flood warnings for Da Nang’s rivers, from Thursday through Friday, November 17 as these rivers could face flood risk. The water level on the Vu Gia River is likely to reach its peak to reach alarm levels 1 to 2 while that in the Cam Le River, is expected to reach below the alert level 1 threshold, and level 1.

Thunderstorms are likely to occur in Da Nang, and can produce tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong winds, regional forecasters have warned.

Authorities at local level and relevant agencies must take proactive and necessary mitigation measures in response to heavy rain which could trigger flooding in urban areas, flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, and flooding in low-lying and riverside areas, as well as cope with heavy and concentrated rainfall occurring in the city for very short period of time.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP – Translating by H.L