Much parts of Central Viet Nam brace for more heavy rain and flooding over the next four days due to the combined influence of the upper tropospheric continental cold air mass and the easterly winds, according to the Mid-Central Region Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

Regional forecasters have predicted moderate to heavy rain over the parts from Quang Binh to Quang Ngai, including Da Nang, from late Thursday afternoon into Sunday, December 3, with some areas experiencing very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

Thunderstorms can produce strong winds, lightning, hail and tornadoes, the regional weather forecasters have warned.

As much as 50mm-150mm of rain could fall in Quang Binh and Quang Tri, and even more than 200mm at isolated locations.

Thua Thien- Hue Province could receive between 150mm and 300mm of rain with more than 450mm possible in some places.

The parts from Da Nang to Quang Ngai are being warned to brace for heavy rain, with rainfalls of 100-250mm, and even more than 350mm at isolated locations.

Forecasters warned that saturated ground conditions caused by the persistent wet weather will increase the risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, as well as flooding in low-lying and urban areas.

Under these conditions, by the coastal areas of the Mid-central region they will see high winds at levels 4 to 5 and gustiness of levels 6 to 7, and farther inland you could find gradually increasing northeasterly wind at level 3.

During the forecast period, cooler temperatures are expected to return to the parts from Quang Binh to Thua Thien- Hue as the minimum temperature is predicted to drop to 17 to 19 degrees Celsius in Quang Binh, and 19 to 22 degrees Celsius in Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue, even 17 to 19 degrees Celsius in their mountainous areas.

Temperatures could drop as low as 20-22 degrees Celsius over the parts from Da Nang to Quang Ngai.

The coolest temperatures are in the early morning and at night across these areas.

The regional weather service has attributed the cold weather to the influence of an intense cold snap.

Strong northeasterly winds at levels 6 to 7, and gustiness of levels 8 to 9, as well as rough seas with waves as high as 4-6m are in forecast for the waters of Hoang Sa Islands.

The open waters off the Quang Binh – Quang Ngai Coast could experience strong northeasterly winds at level 6, and the gusts reaching levels 7 to 8, as well as rough seas with waves as high 2-4m.

Warning for high winds and big waves has been issued for all vessels operating in the above-mentioned areas.

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

Reporting by HOANG HIEP – translating by H.L