Northern, central regions enter prolonged rainy spell

Prolonged heavy rain caused landslides in northern mountainous Lào Cai Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Quốc Khánh 

HÀ NỘI — The northern and central regions have entered a period of prolonged heavy rain, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

From June 14, the northern region and the north central province of Thanh Hóa will experience downpours with rainfall of 40-80mm and the figure is likely to exceed 120mm in some areas.

From the night of June 14 to June 15, rain is forecast for northern provinces of Điện Biên, Lai Châu, Sơn La, and Hòa Bình, the South of the northern delta, and the central provinces of Thanh Hóa and Nghệ An. Rainfall is forecast to range between 30mm and 60mm, and surpass 80mm in some places. Remaining areas in the North will see showers and thunderstorms.

Thunderstorms and downpours in the region are projected to last throughout June 15, then gradually decrease. Hot weather is likely to return from June 18 to 19.

The meteorological agency has warned of a high risk of flash floods, landslides and local flooding across northern mountainous provinces, especially Điện Biên, Lai Châu, Sơn La, Hòa Bình, Lào Cai, Yên Bái, Hà Giang, Tuyên Quang, Thái Nguyên, Cao Bằng, and Bắc Kạn.

At the same time, flooding may occur in riverside and alluvial areas downstream of the Red River.

Heavy rain floods many areas 

Heavy rain submerged many streets and areas in the capital city of Hà Nội on Monday evening.

The worst flooding was seen on the streets of Nguyễn Khuyến, Vương Thừa Vũ, Phan Văn Trường, Bùi Xương Trạch, Trần Bình, Phùng Khoang and Cổ Linh, and the Vĩnh Tuy bridge area.

Heavy rain and flooding caused significant traffic congestion across the capital. A number of vehicles stalled due to water entering their engines. 

At 8.45pm, rainfall measured in Hoàn Kiếm, Hai Bà Trưng, Ba Đình and Đống Đa districts ranged from 75mm to 94mm.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the convective cloud zone developing in the South has caused showers and thunderstorms in Mỹ Đức and Ứng Hòa districts. Convective clouds moving down from the North also caused rain in Sóc Sơn District.

These clouds strengthened and continued to move, causing showers and thunderstorms in many urban districts of Hà Nội.

Showers were forecast to continue in Hà Nội.

A man was reported to have died in Chợ Đồn District in northern mountainous Bắc Kạn Province due to landslides triggered by prolonged heavy rain on Monday while another remains missing.

Heavy rain over the past few days also caused great damage to houses, infrastructure and crops in Lào Cai Province. As many as 23 houses were damaged or flooded. Landslides caused by downpours blocked traffic on many roads. The water level of rivers kept rising.

Rainfall was measured up to 100-150mm in many areas in the province. — VNS