At 7am on October 15, the low pressure area was churning through the waters near Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.

In the next 24 hours, the low pressure area is forecast to move west and north-west and gain strength into a tropical depression that is likely to strike central Vietnam.

Meteorologists said the ongoing cold air in the north, combined with easterly wind disturbances and the tropical convergence zone will interact with the low pressure area and then the tropical depression, making the long spell of heavy rain and flooding in the central region more complicated in the coming days.

It is forecast that from October 15 to 17, localities from Quang Binh to Binh Dinh will receive a common rainfall of between 150-400mm.

Other localities such as Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam will even endure a higher rainfall of between 250-800mm.

Meteorologists did not rule out the possibility that the historic flooding in November 1999 is likely to recur this year, given ongoing complicated weather patterns. Notably, rain is anticipated to spread across the northern region.

They also warned about severe flooding in low-lying areas as well as flashfloods and landslides in mountainous localities.

Preliminary statistics show over the past few days heavy rain has submerged parts of central Vietnam, especially in Quang Nam, Da Nang, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri, and Quang Binh.

Rising floodwaters have made some sections of national highways 1, 49 and 49B, as well as many provincial roads impassable. At least two residents have been killed, while thousands have been assisted to move to higher ground. Several localities have permitted students to stay at home for safety reasons.

Source: VOV