In recent days, heavy rains in the North have brought a series of dangerous natural disasters. The forecast of upcoming rainfall is information that people are waiting for.
The reporter had an interview with Mr. Mai Van Khiem - Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Department of Hydro-Meteorology on this issue.
Please tell us, will the rainfall in May this year in the Northern region be unusual or not?
- From the beginning of May until now, although it has not entered the peak of the flood season in the North, many dangerous weather patterns have appeared such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, hail.
In which some places have recorded thunderstorms and heavy rains with common rainfall from 100 - 200mm, in some places over 300mm. It is worthy of the heavy rain in a few hours up to 100 - 200mm as in Yen Duong (Bac Kan) from 20h - 24h on 17.5 rain 195mm, Na Hang (Tuyen Quang) 21h - 24h on 17.5 rain 198mm, Tan Lap (Ha Giang) 20h - 24h on 17.5 rain 132mm, Quang Yen (Quang Ninh) 18h - 21h on 17.5 rain 150mm, people in the rain (Thai Nguyen) 16H - 192mm ...
According to current forecasts, the total rainfall in May 2025 may be about 10 - 30% higher than the average of many years. This rainfall is also insignificant compared to May 2024 (the rain in May 2024 is 30 - 60% higher than the average of many years).
It is noteworthy the appearance of heavy rain in a short period of time. This has also happened regularly in recent years.
According to the forecast, there will be another heavy rain in the middle of this week. Please tell us where the rain will be concentrated and how much it will be?
- In the coming days, thunderstorms will continue to appear mainly in the late afternoon and night. It is forecasted that from May 22 to 25, there will be a widespread heavy rain in the Northern region and Thanh Hoa. Rainfall is generally from 100 - 250mm, in some places over 350mm; there may be local rain with high intensity (over 100mm for 3 hours).
In the Central Highlands and the South, areas that have started the rainy season, thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening will also appear more frequently.
In this heavy rain, can you warn about the risk of extreme weather phenomena that people need to proactively prevent?
- The Department of Hydrometeorology has issued a document warning of some specific natural disaster risks to ministries, branches and localities, especially from now until the end of May.
This is the time of changing seasons, so the phenomenon of strong thunderstorms may appear accompanied by tornadoes, lightning and hail, strong gusts of wind. These risks are not only for the Northern provinces but also for localities in the Central Highlands and the South.
In addition, flash floods and landslides are a constant risk. We will continuously warn in the coming days, especially in the northern provinces that have just experienced a period of heavy rain, so in mountainous areas such as Bac Kan, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, ... the soil and rocks have saturated water, so the risk of landslides is still high. People need to be on guard against landslides to avoid causing damage to people and property.
Moreover, with the above forecast rainfall scenario, it is necessary to be on guard against risks from May 22 to 25, in the upper reaches of Thao River, Lo River and some small rivers in the North, Thanh Hoa, there is a possibility of a flood with a common flood amplitude of 2 - 5m.
Due to the increasing frequency of heavy rain, it is certain that it can cause flooding in low-lying areas, urban areas, and industrial parks.
Sincerely thank you!
