An inundated section of a road in Nghệ An Province on Monday morning due to torrential rain. — VNA/VNS Photo Văn Tý

CENTRAL REGION — The central region has experienced torrential rainfall of up to 500mm, which is forecast to last until Friday, flooding rivers in the provinces of Quảng Bình to Phú Yên, leading to the risk of inundation, flash floods and landslides.

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting attributes the heavy rainfall primarily to the influence of this year's strongest cold spell.

On Monday morning, the centre issued a warning for heavy rains, anticipating 100-200mm of rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms across the provinces from Quảng Bình to Phú Yên from Monday to Tuesday. In certain areas, the rainfall is expected to exceed 500mm.

From Wednesday to Friday, the rainfall is forecast to be moderate, ranging between 80-250mm.

Floods are anticipated in local rivers from Quảng Bình to Phú Yên due to the heavy downpour. Notably, rivers in the provinces from Thừa Thiên Huế to Quảng Ngãi are likely to experience level-3 alarm floods, indicating a very dangerous situation with extremely high water levels, widespread lowland flooding, threats to the integrity of riverside protection dykes, and the onset of infrastructure damage.

Responses

In response to the situation, on Sunday evening, the National Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control sent an official dispatch No. 17- CĐ-QG to localities from Thanh Hóa to Phú Yên and relevant agencies, asking them to closely monitor the weather forecast bulletin; warn about heavy rains, floods, flash floods, landslides to authorities at all levels and local people to proactively respond and minimise damage.

They were also to evacuate people living in high-risk areas of floods, flash floods and landslides to safe places; check the operation of reservoirs and ensure safety of reservoirs and downstream areas, especially small hydroelectric reservoirs and key irrigation lakes; arrange human resources to operate and regulate the reservoirs and irrigation lakes; and prepare all forces for emergencies.

In Thừa Thiên Huế Province, the provincial Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue has ordered all relevant units to take measures to cope with heavy rains and landslides.

Authorities were required to evacuate people in dangerous places; put warning signs at areas with high risks of floods, flash floods, landslides, and inundation; strictly manage boats along the coast, lagoons and rivers; and strictly prohibit people from going into the forest during floods.

The provincial Transport Department must guide transport units, train stations, Phú Bài International Airport, bus stations, and boat wharves to implement plans to ensure security, order, and safety of life and property for local people.

Thừa Thiên - Huế Power Company under the Việt Nam Electricity (EVN) was told to ensure the safety of the power grid when floods and rains occur as well as ensuring power supply, giving priority to agencies that direct and forecast to prevent and control natural disasters, search and rescue agencies, as well as medical facilities, hospitals, and domestic water supply plants.

In Đà Nẵng City, the local administration has issued a document allowing students at all levels to be off from school on Monday due to torrential rains. For private universities, based on the actual situation, the head of the universities proactively decides on students' attendance.

Hanoians drive in rain and cold weather on Monday morning. — VNA/VNS Photo Anh Tuấn

Winter comes

Since Monday morning, the northern region of Việt Nam has been experiencing a significant temperature drop, with high mountainous areas recording lows of 11 degrees and northern delta areas ranging between 15-18 degrees. This cold spell, the most intense of the year so far, marks the onset of this year's winter season, according to Nguyễn Văn Hưởng, head of the Weather Forecasting Office at the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

The centre also indicated that high mountainous provinces, including Cao Bằng and Lạng Sơn, are expected to face severe cold conditions from Monday to Wednesday, due to the cold spell's influence. — VNS