VNExpress-Aug 3
Northern Vietnam experienced less intense heat in June and July, and the total rainfall far exceeded forecasts, leading to major floods and landslides that resulted in 48 deaths and 12 missing persons. Since June, which was the peak of summer in the north and before the peak rainy and flood season, the region has experienced 12 days of widespread heavy rains in two periods: June 4-10 and June 23-27. Rains were concentrated in the northeastern provinces, and the northern delta, home to Hanoi.
The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that the total rainfall in June in the north ranged from 200-600 mm, which is 40-80% higher than the average from previous years, and in some places along the northern coast, it was over 100% higher. Earlier in the monthly forecast, the meteorological agency estimated that the total rainfall in the north would be only 10-30% higher than the multi-year average. June set 13 records for daily rainfall and total monthly rainfall. The highest daily rainfall was recorded at 333 mm on June 9 in Quang Ninh Province, home to Ha Long Bay, surpassing the nation’s 2001 record by about 84 mm.
A 50-year record of 180 mm on June 24 in Hoa Binh Province was surpassed with a new mark of 195 mm. In Quang Ninh, the total June rainfall reached 1,100 mm, breaking its 1991 record by more than 120 mm. For July, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting forecasted that the total rainfall across the country would be close to the multi-year average for the same period. However, its rainfall exceeded forecasts, with periods of heavy downpours recorded on July 2-3 and July 15-19 in the northern delta, and then on July 23-24 and July 29-31 across the north, continuing into early August. Going into August, signs of La Nina are becoming clearer, and the complexity of rain and floods is expected to increase, meteorologists have said. Read more at:
