A tropical cyclone is a generic term used by meteorologists to describe a rotating, organised system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has closed, low-level circulation. Photo kinhtemoitruong.vn

HÀ NỘI — Average temperatures across Việt Nam in the coming weeks are expected to be up to one degree higher than those of the same period in previous years, according to the National Hydrometeorological Forecast Centre (NHFC).

The centre is also forecasting rainfall across the country to be 10-35 per cent lower than the average despite two tropical cyclones expected to appear on the East Sea by the beginning of August.

Rainfalls, however, in the northern mountainous provinces and southeastern provinces may be up to 10-20 per cent higher than average.

This year’s storm season will see 10-12 storms and tropical depressions on the East Sea. Of them, five to seven storms and a tropical depression could directly affect the country’s mainland, the centre has said.

Mai Văn Khiêm the Director of the National Hydrometeorological Forecast Centre said they are prepared to deliver more frequent notices on dangerous weather and apply real-time tools to monitor storms and floods. Dangerous weather updates will be sent to every province with details of the projected impacts of natural disasters on socio-economic activities and vulnerable groups, Khiêm said.

The national weather agency expects to be able to provide people with hourly updates by using real-time data collected from radars and satellites. This will also improve the quality of rain forecasts, and flood and landslide warnings.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Lê Công Thành has asked agencies to actively monitor, evaluate, and deal with consequences of marine environmental incidents or oil spills if they occurred.

It’s also necessary to strengthen the monitoring of waves and sea currents by using marine radar for warning and forecasting of natural disasters, he said.

Furthermore, the operation of reservoirs must be supervised closely.

Thành said the department is asking for applications of advanced scientific and technological research studies to improve weather forecasting, warnings and natural disaster prevention and control. 

In the first half of this year, Việt Nam faced two storms, and 59 light earthquakes, 137 hailstorms and thunderstorms. There were also five cold spells, 14 periods of heavy rain floods, two flash floods and 60 riverside-landslides. Natural disasters killed 25 people, injured 31 people and caused losses worth over VNĐ132 billion (US$5.75 million), according to the Việt Nam Disaster Management Authority. 

In Việt Nam, the storm season usually lasts between July and December. — VNS