Northern Vietnam endures 26 days of rain, faces flood risks

Northern Vietnam has been enduring a prolonged period of rain, with the region experiencing precipitation on 26 out of 28 days since the beginning of July. This persistent wet spell includes two significant periods of widespread heavy rainfall, occurring from July 8-9 and again from the night of July 15 to July 19.

According to Nguyễn Văn Hưởng, head of the Weather Forecasting Division at the National Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Center, the current heavy rains are caused by a low-pressure trough extending across the region. From July 27 to July 28, many areas reported rainfall exceeding 80 mm, with some locations like Cổ Pháp in Bắc Ninh recording 138.8 mm and Đô Lương in Nghệ An reaching 148.6 mm.

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From July 27 to July 28, many places had moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms. Some places had very heavy rain.

Hưởng indicated that this low-pressure system is expected to weaken and dissipate by July 29, potentially bringing an end to the widespread heavy rainfall. However, the continuous downpours have saturated the ground, particularly in the northern mountainous and midland regions.

Consequently, ten provinces, including Lạng Sơn, Cao Bằng, Thái Nguyên, Tuyên Quang, Lào Cai, Lai Châu, Điện Biên, Sơn La, and the western parts of Thanh Hóa and Nghệ An, are at high risk of flash floods and landslides. The National Civil Defense Steering Committee has urged these provinces to proactively prepare for heavy rain, floods, inundation, flash floods, landslides, whirlwinds, lightning, and hail. Authorities are advising residents in low-lying areas and near rivers and streams to evacuate to safer locations and to be ready to assist with post-disaster recovery.

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From July 29, this low-pressure trough will weaken and dissipate, and widespread heavy rain in the North is likely to end.