Storm Narra's projected path as of 7:00 on August 22. Photo courtesy of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting

HÀ NỘI — Storm Narra, the fourth to hit the East Sea this year, brought strong winds and heavy rains to northern Việt Nam early on August 22, with some areas forecast to receive more than 500mm of rain as the storm moves slowly over the northern waters of the East Sea.

According to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, early on August 22, strong winds of level eight (62-74 km/h), with gusts up to level nine, were recorded at Bạch Long Vĩ special zone in Hải Phòng city, while winds reached level six, with gusts up to level nine, in Cô Tô special zone in Quảng Ninh province.

At 4am, the storm's centre was about 130km northeast of Bạch Long Vĩ. The strongest winds near the centre were at level eight, with gusts up to level ten. The storm was moving slowly northward at about 3km per hour.

Forecasters said that early on August 23, the storm is expected to turn southward and move at around 3km per hour. Its centre is forecast to be about 170km east of Hải Phòng and 70km northeast of Bạch Long Vĩ.

Areas likely to be affected include the Gulf of Tonkin, particularly Bạch Long Vĩ, Vân Đồn, Cô Tô and Cát Hải special zones, as well as Hòn Dấu island.

The storm is predicted to cause widespread rain across the northern region on August 22, especially during the night, with moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms, locally accompanied by torrential downpours. Quảng Ninh is forecast to experience particularly heavy to torrential rain.

From August 22 through the night of August 23, northeastern provinces, southern Phú Thọ province and Thanh Hoá province are expected to receive 70-150mm of rain, with some areas receiving more than 300mm. Quảng Ninh could see 200-300mm, with some areas receiving more than 500mm. Lạng Sơn, Bắc Ninh and Hải Phòng are forecast to receive 150-250mm, with several areas recording more than 400mm.

Rainfall could be particularly intense, exceeding 120mm in three hours, posing a risk of flash floods, inundation and landslides in vulnerable areas.

The rain is expected to persist through August 24. — VNA/VNS