Vietnam’s central region can expect extended downpours of more than 200 millimeters later this week, with severe flooding imminent due to the combined effect of rain and high tides, the latest weather forecast reveals.

Over the next two to three days, prolonged rainfall is forecast in the Central Highlands and southern areas, with strong squalls in some places, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Peak tide is expected to be 1.4 meters on Friday with expectations of continued high tides for the days following, the weather forecast center said.

At the Phu An Station near the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, tide levels are anticipated to reach up to 1.65 meters, the highest level this year, posing a severe threat of floods in the southern city.

The central region is also likely to be soaked under the influence of a cold air mass and a trough in the northern zone of the East Vietnam Sea.

Beginning on Wednesday evening, a series of rainfalls are forecast to send more than 200 millimeters of rainwater in total from Thanh Hoa to Quang Ngai provinces and about 300-500 millimeters in total between Nghe An Province and Hue City until Saturday.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has predicted a violent storm in the East Vietnam Sea around Sunday or Monday next week, creating significant disturbance to the on and offshore climate.