More typhoons forecast off Vietnam coast this month

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment announced on Sunday that northern and north-central Vietnam may face one or two additional typhoons before the end of September. These storms are expected to form in the South China Sea (East Sea in Vietnam) and could significantly impact these regions.

The ministry also highlighted the heightened risk of flooding for central Vietnam in October and November. Meteorological agencies predict continuous heavy rainfall across the country, with northern areas potentially experiencing up to 40% more rain than average for this season, and northern and north-central regions seeing up to 30% more than in previous years.

So far, three storms have passed through the South China Sea in 2024. The most recent, Typhoon Yagi, hit Quang Ninh province, home to UNESCO's Ha Long Bay, on September 7. The storm caused severe floods and landslides, leading to 292 fatalities, 38 missing persons, and damage to 73,000 homes in northern Vietnam.

In a forecast from May, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting estimated that up to 13 storms or tropical depressions would develop in the South China Sea in 2024, with 5-7 of them expected to affect Vietnam, particularly between September and November.

While northern Vietnam is expected to experience minimal rainfall this week, areas like Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Quang Ninh, and Hai Phong may still see up to 50 mm of rain by Tuesday. Landslide risks remain high in mountainous areas such as Lao Cai, Yen Bai, and Cao Bang. Floodwaters in the Red River are gradually receding.