The circulation of storm No. 5 caused a widespread heavy rain in the North and Central regions. This afternoon, August 26, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hien - Deputy Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Department of Hydro-Meteorology - warned that the development of heavy rain will be complicated in the coming time.
Sir, what is the forecast for the next heavy rain in the Northern and Central regions?
- Due to the impact of storm No. 5, there was widespread rain in the Central and Northern regions last night and on August 26. Tonight and tomorrow, August 27, due to the activity of the southeast wind at an altitude of 5,000m, the Northern region will travel in the midlands and deltas of the North, including the capital Hanoi, the provinces of Lao Cai, Nam Phu Tho, Tay Son La will continue to have common rain from 50 to 100mm, some places over 200mm.
It is also necessary to pay special attention to high-intensity rain, the rainfall can reach 100 mm within three hours.
It is forecasted that from now until the end of August, there will continue to be moderate to heavy rain in the Northern and North Central regions, due to the influence of the tropical convergence zone in the Northern region.
How dangerous are the forecasts for heavy rain to continue, sir?
- With the amount of rain during the recent storm, we have warned of the risk of flash floods and landslides for provinces from Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, the northern areas of Quang Tri, Son La, Phu Tho, Lao Cai provinces. Yesterday, a level 2 natural disaster risk warning was issued for Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh.
No serious landslides have been recorded during this period, however, with such a large amount of rain, the soil moisture in high-risk areas is almost at or has reached a saturated state. With such upcoming rainfall, the North Central region including Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh and part of Quang Tri will continue to face high risks today and tomorrow. Then the risk of concentration is higher in the northern mountainous provinces, provinces such as Phu Tho, Son La, Lao Cai are at very high risk.
Lang Son, Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh, Thai Nguyen provinces are also at high risk.
With such a complicated natural disaster situation, what recommendations do you have for local people and authorities in responding, especially to the phenomenon of flash floods and landslides?
- Regarding flash floods and landslides, there are currently many mass media outlets providing instructions for people and local authorities to respond to natural disasters. This is a type of natural disaster that causes great damage to people and property. For those who do forecasting work, we have some notes below.
First, people need to regularly monitor forecast information on mass media, especially from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, to grasp the fastest and earliest developments of heavy rain. People in areas at risk of flash floods and landslides need to closely monitor and promptly receive warning information.
Second, it is necessary to pay attention to surrounding phenomena such as rapidly rising river water, changing water flow, strange noises, signs of cracking soil... to prevent them. When the local government issued an evacuation order, it had to be implemented immediately, because flash floods and landslides occurred very quickly, making it difficult to respond promptly.
Local authorities need to review communes at high risk of flash floods and landslides, use a developed risk zoning map, develop a plan to evacuate people to safe places, and prepare on-site vehicles and forces for quick and effective response.
In addition, it is very important to access early warnings. Local authorities need to exploit official information from forecasting agencies through many traditional platforms, channels and online. The responsible staff should regularly update and proactively activate response plans when there are signs of high risk of landslides and heavy rain in the next 1-2 days.
Sincerely thank you!
