A tropical depression has made landfall in Quang Ninh with wind gusts reaching level 8, bringing widespread heavy rains to northern Vietnam. Some areas are expected to see rainfall of more than 250mm, especially in the Northeast and Thanh Hoa.

According to Hoang Phuc Lam, Deputy Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as of 6 a.m. on August 19, the tropical depression’s center was located over Quang Ninh Province with maximum sustained winds of level 6 (39-49 km/h) and gusts up to level 8. The system is moving northwest at around 15 km/h and is forecast to weaken as it approaches the Vietnam-China border later today.

The tropical depression has caused strong winds at several monitoring stations: level 6 with gusts up to level 9 in Quang Ha, level 6 with gusts 7 in Bach Long Vi, level 6 with gusts 8 in Co To, and level 6 in Cua Ong.

In the northern part of the Gulf of Tonkin, including Bach Long Vi, Cat Hai, Co To, and Van Don, showers and thunderstorms continue with winds at level 6, gusting to 8, and waves of 2-3.5 meters, making seas rough. Coastal areas of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong are also experiencing strong winds.

From 7 p.m. on August 18 to 3 a.m. this morning, several stations recorded significant rainfall: 137.4mm in Quang Ha (Quang Ninh) and 93.7mm in Tan Phong (Hai Phong). Forecasts indicate that from early morning to late evening today, the Northeast and Thanh Hoa will continue to see moderate to heavy rain, averaging 40-100mm, with some locations exceeding 250mm.

The Northwest is also expected to see scattered showers and thunderstorms, with localized heavy rainfall of 15-30mm and some areas surpassing 80mm.

Meteorologists warn of intense rainfall exceeding 100mm in three hours in certain locations. Heavy downpours may cause flooding in low-lying and urban areas, flash floods in small rivers and streams, and landslides on steep slopes.

From August 20, rainfall across the affected regions is expected to gradually ease. However, thunderstorms may still bring lightning, hail, and strong gusts in some areas.

Bao Anh