According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, on June 30 the northern mountainous and midland regions, Quang Ninh Province and Haiphong City saw moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms, with some areas experiencing very heavy downpours.
Rainfall recorded between 7 am and 3 pm exceeded 80mm in some places, including 135mm at Xuan Minh 1 station in Tuyen Quang Province, 114mm in Phan Thanh in Lao Cai Province and 84mm in Lao Xa Phinh in Dien Bien Province.
Forecasts for July 1 show the northern mountainous and midland regions, Quang Ninh Province and Haiphong City remaining at the centre of this spell of rain. Moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected, with widespread rainfall of 50-100mm and some places receiving more than 250mm. The heaviest rain is forecast in the late afternoon, at night and in the morning.
The meteorological agency warned of intense rainfall, with totals potentially exceeding 100mm within just three hours.
From July 2, heavy rain in northern Vietnam is expected to gradually ease. At the same time, the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam are forecast to see moderate rain, with some places experiencing heavy to very heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Residents struggle to ride through wind and rain in Hanoi City (Photo: Nguyen Hai).
In addition, under the influence of an intertropical convergence zone linked to a low-pressure area that is forecast to strengthen into a tropical depression over the East Sea, northern Vietnam could see another spell of moderate to heavy rain from July 4 to 7, with a high risk of whirlwinds, lightning, flash floods, landslides and localised flooding.
According to the Meteorology and Hydrology Administration under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, an intertropical convergence zone formed over the central East Sea on July 1 and could strengthen into a tropical depression.
That tropical depression could then intensify into a storm, with a probability of about 60-65 per cent.
From July 1, waters in the eastern part of the northern and central East Sea are forecast to see winds of force 5-6, with wind strength expected to increase gradually in line with developments in the low-pressure area.
From July 2, waters from Khanh Hoa Province to Ca Mau Province and the southern East Sea, including the western part of the Truong Sa special zone, are forecast to see strengthening south-westerly winds of force 6, with gusts of force 7-8. Waves are expected to reach 2-3 metres, with rough seas.