Meteorological authorities have reported record-breaking rainfall in central Vietnam, with the Bach Ma area of Hue recording nearly 1,740mm in one day, the largest one-day rainfall ever measured in the country.
Many areas in Hue City are deeply submerged on October 29.
The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said on October 29 that from October 22 to 28, central localities experienced multiple extreme weather patterns, including strengthened cold air from the north and the impact of Typhoon Fengshen, which weakened into a tropical depression off the coast of Hue and Danang. This combination brought extremely heavy rain, especially in Hue and Danang.
Rainfall totals from October 22 to 4 am on October 29 ranged from 200-450mm in Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, and Quang Ngai; 450-900mm in Hue; and 300-600mm in Danang.
Bach Ma in Hue recorded nearly 1,740mm in a single day, the highest one-day total ever in Vietnam.
According to the World Meteorological Organisation, the world’s largest one-day rainfall was 1,825mm, recorded at a French weather station in the Indian Ocean in January 1966.
Forecasters expect heavy rain to continue in Hue and Danang through the night of October 30, with widespread totals of 120-250mm and isolated areas exceeding 400mm.
Southern Quang Tri and eastern Quang Ngai may receive 80-180mm, with some areas above 350mm; Ha Tinh to northern Quang Tri may see 70-140mm, with localised totals above 250mm.
Rainfall is expected to ease gradually from October 30.
Water levels on the Huong and Bo rivers in Hue are receding slowly; the Vu Gia-Thu Bon system in Danang remains high, while the Tra Khuc River in Quang Ngai is rising.
Authorities warned of flash floods and landslides in 21 communes in Hue, 67 in Danang, and 30 in Quang Ngai, and of flooding risks in 28 communes/wards in Hue, 35 in Danang, and 32 in Quang Ngai.
