Central Vietnam faces three days of torrential rain as Storm No. 6 may form

Cold air is moving south into northern Vietnam as central parts of the country prepare for several days of heavy rain, with some areas expected to receive more than 250 millimeters.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said the cold air would begin affecting the northern mountainous areas on the night of Sept. 9 before spreading to other parts of the northeastern region, parts of the northwest and north-central Vietnam. Northeasterly winds will reach levels 2 to 3 inland and level 3 along the coast.

The weather will turn cooler in the northeastern region and north-central Vietnam, with minimum temperatures of 21°C to 24°C. Some northern mountain areas could fall below 19°C. Hanoi is expected to see rain, showers and scattered thunderstorms from the evening of Sept. 9 into Sept. 10, with some areas receiving heavy rain.

From around Sept. 10 through the night of Sept. 11, Thanh Hoa to Hue, the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam are forecast to receive moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms. Rainfall will generally total 70 to 150 millimeters, with some locations exceeding 250 millimeters. Authorities warned of intense rain exceeding 100 millimeters in three hours, along with possible whirlwinds, lightning, hail and strong wind gusts.

The weather center said heavy rain in central Vietnam could continue after Sept. 12 and develop unpredictably. A tropical convergence zone forming over the South China Sea could produce a tropical depression around Sept. 12 to 13, which may strengthen into the year’s sixth storm. The National Civil Defense Steering Committee has asked 21 provinces and cities and five ministries to prepare disaster-response measures.