Super typhoon Yagi: Flash floods and landslides warnings issued for some northern Vietnam provinces

Northern Vietnam will experience heavy rainfall, with some localities receiving exceptionally heavy precipitation, from Saturday through Monday morning due to the super typhoon Yagi, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Mountainous provinces of Lao Cai, Yen Bai and Son La are particularly at risk, with anticipated rainfall totals ranging from 150 to 300 mm. In isolated areas, rainfall could exceed 400 mm.

Currently, Bach Long Vy Island (Hai Phong city) has recorded strong winds reaching level 12, gusting to level 14. On Co To Island (Quang Ninh province), winds have reached level 7 with gusts of level 11, and they are expected to intensify in the coming hours.

Wind speeds in these island districts are forecasted to reach levels 12-13, with gusts up to levels 14-15, posing significant danger to structures, especially civil buildings. Large waves may cause coastal erosion, damage seawalls, and impact docking areas for fishing vessels if they are not properly secured.

Marine conditions are expected to be hazardous, with large storm-induced waves posing a significant threat to coastal tourism zones, docking areas, and aquaculture farms, particularly in Quang Ninh and Thai Binh province. Coastal erosion is also a concern as the storm approaches.

Even though low tides are predicted to coincide with the storm's landfall, the combination of storm surges and large waves could still result in flooding in many low-lying coastal areas.

Strong winds of levels 10-12, with gusts up to level 14, are also a significant concern for Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and Thai Binh. The winds can cause severe damage to construction projects, rip off weak roofs, and dislodge large advertising boards.

Heavy rain in the northern region is forecast to total between 150-350 mm, with extreme rainfall of up to 500 mm in certain areas.

The heavy rain, concentrated over a short period on Saturday and Sunday, will likely lead to widespread flooding as water cannot drain quickly enough, particularly in urban areas, densely populated zones, open-pit coal mines, and underground mining operations in Quang Ninh.

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has also issued warnings of a high risk of flash floods and landslides in the northern mountainous localities and in the central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An.

Smaller rivers and upper streams in northern mountainous provinces, particularly in Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang and Hoa Binh, may reach alert levels 2-3.

There is a warning of widespread flooding in the mountainous, midland, and delta localities in the north, particularly in Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Yen Bai, Bac Kan, and Thai Nguyen.

From the night of Friday to Sunday, special attention should be paid to the following high-risk districts: Dong Trieu township, Quang Yen, Mong Cai town, Cam Pha, Uong Bi, Ha Long, Ba Che, Van Don, Tien Yen, Hai Ha, Dam Ha, Binh Lieu in Quang Ninh province; and Huu Lung, Binh Gia, Loc Binh, Van Lang, Cai Loc, Van Quang, Chi Lang, Bac Son, Dinh Lap, Lang Son town in Lang Son province.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has decided to extend the closure time of Noi Bai International Airport by an additional two hours on the evening of Saturday, due to concerns over downpours caused by super typhoon Yagi.

Specifically, the airport in Hanoi will temporarily suspend aircraft operations from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, instead of from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. as previously decided.

The authority has requested domestic airlines to replenish fuel reserves for flights from 9 p.m. on Saturday to 2 a.m. on Sunday, in case of delays or the need to divert to alternative airports.

On Thursday, the CAAV had ordered a Saturday suspension of aircraft operations at four airports: Van Don, Cat Bi and Noi Bai in the north and Tho Xuan in the central region.