An exceptional weather event on the night of August 22nd brought over 1,000 lightning strikes within an hour to northern Vietnam, including Hanoi, leading to substantial flooding and widespread disruptions.

Triggered by a low-pressure trough and high-altitude wind convergence, the storm affected several areas, with Lang Son, Thai Nguyen, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, and Hoa Binh experiencing the most intense lightning activity. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has documented this as one of the most severe lightning storms of the season.

The torrential rains continued throughout the night, overwhelming Hanoi’s drainage systems and causing extensive urban flooding. Major streets saw significant water accumulation, disrupting traffic and daily life. The storm also brought strong winds that uprooted trees across the city.

Overnight rainfall measurements revealed extraordinary figures, with some regions recording more than 100mm of rain. Notable amounts include 195.2mm in Phong Phu (Hoa Binh), 190.4mm in Dong Quang (Thai Nguyen), and 195.4mm in Quan Hoa (Hanoi).

The forecast from August 23rd to August 24th continues to predict moderate to heavy rains for the northeastern region and Hoa Binh, with potential accumulations reaching beyond 200mm. This persistent rainfall is expected to ease after August 25th.

Additional weather disturbances are forecast for the northwestern region and Thanh Hoa, where scattered thunderstorms could drop up to 100mm of rain. The Central Highlands and the Southern regions are also anticipating scattered showers and thunderstorms into the evening hours.

Looking ahead, the northern region and Thanh Hoa are set for more scattered showers and thunderstorms through September 1st, with particularly heavy rainfall expected on the nights of August 28th and 29th.

The central region’s ten-day outlook includes hot sunny days punctuated by evening thunderstorms, with occasional severe heat. Meanwhile, in the Central Highlands and the Southern regions, evening thunderstorms are likely, with significant rainfall in some areas.

Residents are advised to stay vigilant for possible whirlwinds, lightning, and strong gusts during thunderstorms. The ongoing heavy rains raise concerns for potential flooding in low-lying areas, along with flash floods and landslides in vulnerable regions.

Thanh Hue