Vietnam: Tropical storm Sonca to make landfall in central region July 25

Event

The Vietnam Meteorological Office forecasts tropical storm Sonca to make landfall in Vietnam’s central region between Tuesday, July 25, and Wednesday, July 26, before weakening into a tropical depression over Lao’s central region. Heavy downpours are expected in Vietnam’s central provinces located between Thanh Hoa and Thua Thien Hue on Tuesday, July 25, with wind gusts reaching 65 km/h (40 mph).

Flash floods and landslides prompted by torrential rains are likely to occur in the northern mountainous provinces of Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Cao Bang, and Son La. Sea warnings have been issued in coastal provinces during the storm.

Context

Tropical storm Sonca is the third of the season to affect Vietnam, which regularly experiences flooding and landslides. Nine people were killed in early July 2017 in the northeast. In 2016, ten typhoons and tropical depressions developed over the East Sea, four of which hit Vietnam's mainland.

Advice

Individuals in Vietnam are advised to follow all instructions as issued by local authorities (e.g. possible evacuation orders) and follow local weather forecasts. In the event of further flooding, remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous; 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock an adult over.