According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected in Northern Vietnam, the Central Highlands, and Southern Vietnam today (July 18). Some areas might experience heavy rain, with precipitation levels from 7 AM to 3 PM exceeding 50mm in certain locations such as Tram Tau (Yen Bai) with 68mm, Van Don (Quang Ninh) with 90.6mm, Mai Chau (Hoa Binh) with 63mm, and Bao Loc (Lam Dong) with 50.6mm.

The forecast indicates that tonight and tomorrow morning (July 19), Northern Vietnam and the North Central region will continue to experience scattered showers and thunderstorms, with some areas receiving very heavy rainfall of 20-40mm and isolated places exceeding 90mm.

This evening and tonight, the Central and South Central regions will also have scattered showers and thunderstorms, with some areas experiencing heavy rain of 10-30mm and isolated places exceeding 50mm.

In the Central Highlands and Southern regions, there will be scattered showers and thunderstorms, with some areas receiving very heavy rainfall of 20-40mm and isolated places exceeding 70mm.

There is a possibility of tornadoes, lightning, hail, and strong winds during thunderstorms. The heavy localized rain could cause flash floods in small rivers and streams, landslides on steep slopes, and flooding in low-lying areas. There is a need to be cautious of large-scale rain in a short period, which could lead to urban flooding.

The meteorological agency predicts that from the night of July 19-20 and from the night of July 23-27, Northern Vietnam will continue to have scattered showers and thunderstorms, with some areas receiving heavy rainfall, mainly in the evenings and nights.

In the Central region, localized hot weather is expected around July 21-22. The North Central region will have weather patterns similar to Northern Vietnam, with scattered showers and thunderstorms from the night of July 19-20, with some areas receiving heavy rain, mainly in the evenings and nights.

The Central Highlands and Southern regions will continue to have scattered showers and thunderstorms, with some areas experiencing very heavy rain, mainly in the afternoons and evenings.

A low-pressure area is expected to form in the East Sea, with the potential to intensify into a tropical depression.

The Southern Meteorological and Hydrological Station noted that in the next 1-2 days, the dominant weather pattern will be a low-pressure trough extending through the Southern Red River Delta and the North Central region, gradually moving northwards through Northern Vietnam. From July 20, the low-pressure trough is expected to intensify, connecting with a low-pressure area potentially forming in the central East Sea.

From July 20-22, the chance of rain in the Southern region and Ho Chi Minh City is 70-75%, and from July 23-28, it will maintain at around 80%.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has warned that several provinces and cities in Northern and Central Vietnam have experienced significant rainfall in recent days, which is expected to continue.

Soil moisture models indicate that several areas have nearly reached saturation (over 85%) or are saturated.

In the coming hours, there is a high risk of flash floods on small rivers and streams, landslides on steep slopes, and soil erosion in the following areas: Duc Tho, Huong Khe, Huong Son, Ky Anh, Thach Ha, Vu Quang (Ha Tinh Province); Minh Hoa, Tuyen Hoa (Quang Binh Province); Nam Dong, Phu Loc (Thua Thien-Hue Province); Bac Tra My, Hiep Duc, Nui Thanh, Phu Ninh, Que Son, Thang Binh, Tien Phuoc (Quang Nam Province); Son Ha, Minh Long, Tra Bong (Quang Ngai Province), and Cao Phong, Lac Son, Mai Chau, Tan Lac, Yen Thuy (Hoa Binh Province); Ba Thuoc, Cam Thuy, Lang Chanh, Ngoc Lac, Quan Hoa, Thuong Xuan (Thanh Hoa Province).

Bao Anh