Vietnam: Twin storms to bring heavy rain to northern Vietnam Sep. 14-18 /update 1

Event

Northern Vietnam is forecast to experience back-to-back storms as Tropical Storm Barijat and Super Typhoon Mangkhut continue their paths toward the country, bringing a threat of heavy rain to an already flooded region. Tropical Storm Barijat is expected to make landfall in the early morning (local time) of Friday, September 14, hitting north of Halong Bay and continuing westward near Hanoi. Mangkhut will skirt the southern coast of Guangxi province (China), bringing tropical storm-force winds to Vietnam beginning the morning of Tuesday, September 18. Heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding are expected.

Context

The combined storms will bring heavy rain to an area already saturated from previous tropical storms and seasonal rains. Flooding in September has killed 15 people in northern Vietnam, adding to a total of 153 people killed or missing due to monsoons and tropical cyclones.

Advice

Individuals present in affected areas are advised to keep abreast of local weather forecasts, anticipate localized flooding and associated road hazards, and adhere to any instructions issued by local authorities. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.