Between six and eight storms are forecast to hit the East Sea over the rest of the year, with two or three of them directly affecting Việt Nam, especially the central region, according to the National Centre for Hydrometeorogical Forecasting. — Photo qtv.vn

HÀ NỘI – Between six and eight storms are forecast to hit the East Sea over the rest of the year, with two or three of them directly affecting Việt Nam, especially the central region, according to the National Centre for Hydrometeorogical Forecasting. 

The centre predicted that rainfall in the northern region in September will be equal to the average level of previous years, while that from October to the end of the year will be lower than previous years by 15-30 per cent, Vietnam News Agency reported yesterday. 
Meanwhile, the central region will see much lower rainfall than usual. In November-December, the Central Highlands will see a drop of 10-25 per cent in rainfall compared to the previous average. 
Average temperatures in the northern and north central region will be higher than previous years by 0.5-1^oC, while that of the central region southwards will be equal to the same period in the past. 
Hoàng Đức Cường, director of the centre, said that flood season in the northern region may end early, with its peak on the Hồng (Red), Hoàng Long and Thái Bình Rivers likely to hit alert level 1 or 2. However, warnings of flash floods and landslides in the northwestern mountainous region remain in force. 
At the same time, flood season in the central and Central Highlands regions may come earlier than other years, from early October, said Cường, adding that the flood level may be the same as previously recorded. 
At the end of the year, the southern coastal region may experience a high tidal level, said Cường. — VNS