Heavy rain to lash across central Vietnam, severe flooding expected

Localities from Thanh Hoa to Quang Ngai are anticipated to endure widespread heavy rain and thunderstorms from November 3 due to the impact of high-altitude easterly wind disturbances combined with intensified cold air from the north, said Phung Tien Dung, a NCHMF official.

The combined weather pattern will dump between 70-150mm or even 300mm of rain water within hours on parts of the central region, said Dung, adding heavy rain in the central provinces may persist for several days and could potentially extend further south to Binh Dinh province.

The meteorologist also warned that heavy rain will cause water levels of local rivers to swell up to the third alert level, that may trigger widespread flooding from Ha Tinh to Binh Dinh.

There is a high risk of flooding in low-lying areas along rivers, urban centers, and cities from Ha Tinh to Binh Dinh, along with possible flash floods and landslides on mountain slopes in areas from Nghe An to Binh Dinh, said the official.

Meanwhile, the first strongest cold air mass of this winter is moving toward northern Vietnam from China. The cold front is set to hit northeastern border localities on November 3 evening and November 4 morning region, before sweeping across the north-central and central regions.

The cold will send temperatures falling sharply to 17-19°C in the plain and below 15°C in the highlands.