Central Vietnam to face prolonged downpours up to 850mm as river water keeps rising

A strong cold spell combined with easterly winds brought widespread rain from Sunday night to early Monday across Ha Tinh to Da Nang, eastern Quang Ngai to Dak Lak, and parts of Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong.

The wet weather in the central region is expected to persist until Friday.

Rainfall from 7:00 pm on Sunday to 3:00 am on Monday exceeded 220mm in several locations, peaking at 332mm in Hue and 263mm in Quang Ngai.

The downpour caused river levels in Hue to rise, with the Bo River in Phu Oc reaching 4.79 meters and the Huong River in Kim Long 2.48 meters by 6:00 am on Monday.

Meanwhile, heavy to extremely heavy rain is expected on Monday across Quang Tri to Da Nang and eastern Quang Ngai and Gia Lai, with totals of 200–450mm and local accumulations above 700mm.

Ha Tinh, eastern Dak Lak, and Khanh Hoa are forecast to receive 100–300mm, with short-term downpours of over 200mm possible within three hours.

On Tuesday, Hue, Da Nang, and the eastern parts of Quang Ngai to Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa may see another 70–150mm, with some areas surpassing 250mm.

Total rainfall from late November 16 to November 19 could reach 300–600mm across Quang Tri to Da Nang and eastern Quang Ngai and Gia Lai, with some localities exceeding 850mm.

Widespread rain is expected to continue in Da Nang and the provinces from Quang Ngai to Khanh Hoa from November 20, gradually easing after November 22.

Hydrological forecasts indicate another flooding episode on rivers from Ha Tinh to Khanh Hoa through November 20, with several major rivers expected to reach alarm levels 2 to 3.

Low-lying and densely populated areas remain at high risk of flooding, flash floods, and landslides.

Under the influence of the intensifying cold front, temperatures will drop sharply from Monday night in the midlands, the Red River Delta, and the north-central region, while mountainous areas turn very cold.

The lowest temperatures are forecast at 12–15 degrees Celsius in lowland northern areas, 9–12 degrees Celsius in the mountains, and below eight degrees Celsius in high-elevation zones.

Hanoi is expected to see rain from Monday afternoon to Tuesday, with night-timetemperatures falling to 13–15 degrees Celsius.