Northern and central mountainous provinces of Vietnam have been placed on full alert for landslides and flashfloods after typhoon Nuri made landfall in southern China and weakened into a tropical depression.

Heavy rain is forecast to cause massive flooding
in northern mountainous provinces 

After making landfall in China’s Guangdong province early on June 14, Nuri moved further into the mainland and weakened into a tropical depression.

At 10am on June 14, Nuri packed winds of between 40-60kph near its centre and is likely to weaken further into a low pressure system, according to the Vietnam National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

It is causing torrential rain in northern and central coastal provinces, with rainfall to be recorded at 100mm or even 150mm over 24 hours.

Heavy to heavy rain is expected to lash mountainous localities on June 14-15. Such mountainous provinces as Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Hoa Binh, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, Cao Bang, Bac Kan and Nghe An are warned of flashfloods and landslides.

Heavy rain over the past day triggered water levels in major rivers and streams in northern mountainous provinces to rise. In Lao Cai alone, 24-hour rainfall was recorded at 99mm in Cam Duong commune, 121 mm in Kim Son commune and 147mm in Bao Nhai commune.

Lashing rain is forecast to cause massive flooding in the region.