Rain forecast for Hanoi's 1,000th birthday

Heavy rain has been forecast for the first four days of the Thang Long-Hanoi millennium celebrations that begin Friday.

Falls were likely to range between 5-25mm and the temperature between 23-32 degrees Celsius, said National Hydrometeorological Centre deputy director general Pham Van Duc.

The director general said 15 extra automatic rain-measuring stations had been installed to supplement the existing two to help make forecasts for the anniversary more accurate.

But national hydrometeorological forecast centre director Bui Minh Tang cautioned the change from dry to wet season occurred during October making the weather more unpredictable.

The centre would publish four short-term weather forecast bulletin each day until the end of the anniversary, he said.

It would try to update the information 30 minutes before each shower to give event organisers the chance to make any necessary changes.