Storm Narra stalls off Vietnam northern coast, brings heavy rain to northeast

At 5:00 am, the eye of the storm was about 110 kilometers east of Quang Ninh Province, 120 kilometers east-northeast of Hai Phong City, and roughly 75 kilometers north of Bach Long Vi Special Zone.

Maximum sustained winds near the storm center remained at level 8, or 62-74kph, with gusts reaching level 10.

Forecasters said the storm would remain nearly stationary or move slowly southwestward at about 3kph throughout Sunday.

At 4:00 am on Monday, the storm’s center is forecast to be over the waters around Bach Long Vi, some 160 kilometers east-southeast of Hai Phong, while maintaining level-8 intensity and gusts of level 10.

The storm is expected to gradually turn southeastward and move at 3-5kph, with the possibility of strengthening the same day.

It is forecast to be over the eastern Gulf of Tonkin, about 110 kilometers east of Bach Long Vi at 4:00 am on Tuesday.

Its maximum sustained winds could strengthen to level 9, or 75-88kph, with gusts reaching level 11.

The storm is then expected to turn northeastward at 5-10kph, heading toward the Leizhou Peninsula in China.

Its center is forecast to reach the western part of the peninsula, where it is expected to weaken to level 8, with gusts of level 10, early on Wednesday morning.

The storm could subsequently turn north and then northwest at about 5kph before gradually weakening into a tropical depression.

Heavy rain deepens flooding concerns

As the storm is moving very slowly and its circulation extends westward, its rain-bearing system is covering much of northeastern Vietnam.

From Sunday through Monday, northeastern provinces, Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa Provinces are expected to receive 50-100mm of rain, with some areas recording more than 200mm.

Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Lang Son, and Bac Ninh Provinces might suffer rain of 100-200mm, with some areas expected to record rainfall of over 350mm.

Heavy rain could cause flooding in urban areas, industrial parks and low-lying areas, while increasing the risk of flooding along rivers and streams, flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, according to the national weather center.

In Lang Son Province, flooding on the Trung, Ky Cung and That Khe Rivers intensified overnight on Saturday.

Several hydroelectric and irrigation reservoirs in the province have also been releasing water.

Residents in low-lying areas of That Khe, Na Sam, and Ky Lua shared images of rapidly rising floodwaters on social media and said they were staying awake to monitor water levels and move belongings to safety.

On the Ky Cung River, flood levels were forecast to continue rising and potentially exceed warning level 3 on Sunday morning.

Low-lying areas along the river in Tam Thanh, Dong Kinh, Luong Van Tri, Ky Lua, Hoang Van Thu, Khanh Khe, Van Lang, That Khe, and Na Sam were identified as being at risk of flooding.

Also, the water level on the Trung River exceeded warning level 3 by about 0.26 meters at 7:00 pm on Saturday.

The river is forecast to continue rising through Sunday, potentially reaching 0.8 meters above warning level 3 or higher if heavy rain persists.

The national civil defense steering committee on Saturday night urged authorities in Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, Lang Son, and Bac Ninh Provinces to closely monitor river levels and promptly inform residents in areas at risk of flooding.

Local authorities were instructed to deploy response forces to inspect vulnerable areas and arrange the relocation and evacuation of residents living along rivers and streams, in low-lying areas and in locations at risk of severe flooding.

Officials have been instructed to strengthen inspections along dike systems and maintain strict patrols and monitoring throughout the rainy and flood season so that any damage can be detected and addressed promptly.