In the second half of 2019, some 10-12 storms and tropical depressions will appear in the East Sea.

Typhoon Mun landed in Vietnam’s provinces from Hai Phong to Nam Dinh
causing heavy rain and strong winds. Photo: Viet Hung

In the last six months of 2019, some four to five storms will make landfall in Vietnam, according to Nguyen Van Huong, head of the Weather Forecast Office under the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecast (NCHMF).

The recent tropical storm in the East Sea, named typhoon Mun, was recorded as the first storm on land in 2019, hit Vietnam’s northern provinces on early July 4, Huong said.

The expert said the storms of this year have come later than usual, adding that typhoon Mun had a constant speed when it landed and soon weakened into a tropical depression; causing little damage to residential areas.

 In the second half of 2019, the NCHMF forecast that some 10-12 storms and tropical depressions will appear in the East Sea. The number of storms affecting the mainland will be fewer than the previous years, but it is necessary to watch for storms with unpredictable movements, Huong stressed.

 He predicted that from now until the end of August, the northern and central region of Vietnam will be attacked by numerous heat waves with lower intensity.

 From July to October, the temperature nationwide is 0.5-1 degrees Celsius higher than the annual average, the head of the Weather Forecast Office said, adding that in the last two months of the year, the temperature in northern and northern central regions will be 1-1.5°C higher than the annual average.

 Human and property damage caused by natural disasters in Vietnam

 According the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s report on socio-economic situation, in the first six months of 2019, natural disasters caused 29 deaths and people missing, 39 injuries, 649 houses collapsed and swept away, more than 19,000 houses flooded and damaged, nearly 18,000 hectares of rice and crops damaged. The total value of property damage is estimated at over VND464 billion (US$19.95 million)

 Recent typhoon Mun has caused two deaths, three injuries, and statistics on total property damage have not been released yet.

 The Vietnam’s Central Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control requires localities to closely monitor the weather in the area, prepare all plans to cope with the rainy season in the last six months of 2019 to minimize human and property damage caused by natural disasters.