Up to eight storms are expected to enter the East Vietnam Sea by the end of this year, but drought and saltwater intrusion will remain intense in the Mekong Delta, according to the southern hydro-meteorological station.

The rainy season in southern Vietnam began between May 16 and 18, which was later compared to previous years.

In Vinh Long and Ca Mau Provinces, the season started as late as the end of May.

The stormy season also arrived late in Vietnam this year, as only five storms have been recorded in the East Vietnam Sea as of late September.

About six to eight storms are forecast to hit the maritime area during the remaining months of 2020.

Four to five of them will have a direct impact on the Vietnamese mainland, especially the central and southern provinces.

From October 2020 to February 2021, total rainfall in southern Vietnam and the Central Highlands will be 15-30 percent higher than the average of previous years.

Frequent downpours are expected to batter central and southern localities in October and November.

Unseasonal rain will occur in the southern region in January and February 2021.

From mid-September to March 2021, high tide will affect the southern region five times and may peak on October 18, resulting in flooding in coastal areas and such localities as Can Tho City and Vinh Long Province.

Drought in Mekong Delta

Flood levels in the Mekong River, as well as the Tien and Hau Rivers will remain low this year, said Nguyen Kiet, an official from the southern weather station.

Water levels in these rivers will peak in mid-October, Kiet added.

Due to the low flood levels, saltwater intrusion in the region will be intense during the first months of the upcoming dry season.

However, the situation will be less extreme compared to the 2019-20 dry season, the official elaborated.

Water scarcity will also be alleviated by the increase in rainfall and unseasonal rain in southern Vietnam.

Authorities in Mekong Delta provinces need to prepare certain measures to cope with drought and saltwater intrusion in the region, Kiet stated.

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