Over 30,000 lightning strikes hit northern Vietnam during overnight storms

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, storms swept across the region from late Thursday into early Friday, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall and intense thunderstorms.

Radar data from the National Hydrometeorological Network Center counted more than 23,200 lightning strikes between 1:30 am and 5:00 am on Friday, including over 10,400 cloud-to-ground strikes.

An earlier burst of storm activity between 10:30 pm and 11:20 pm on Thursday brought an additional 7,500 strikes.

Provinces throughout the countries region reported hundreds of lighting strikes, including mountainous provinces such as Phu Tho, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai, and Ha Giang; and lowland areas including Hanoi, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Hai Duong, and Nam Dinh; as well as over the Gulf of Tonkin.

Rainfall totals between 7:00 pm on Thursday and 3:00 am on Friday exceeded 80mm in several localities, with Vinh Bao Town in Hai Phong City receiving 114mm; Tien Phong in Hai Duong Province reporting 112mm; and Dong Hai Commune in Thai Binh Province recording 147mm.

The weather agency forecast additional scattered thunderstorms and localized downpours across northern Vietnam on Friday, with rainfall expected to reach 15–30mm, and isolated areas potentially exceeding 80mm.

Showers and thunderstorms are also expected in the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam late on Friday, with localized rainfall of 10–30mm and some areas possibly receiving more than 60mm.

Authorities warned of possible flash floods, landslides, and urban flooding, as well as hazards such as hail, strong winds, and more lightning during storms.