Showers and thunderstorms are possible late in the afternoon and at night across various parts of Vietnam during the ongoing National Day holiday from August 31 to September 3, the national weather agency said on Friday.

Provinces in northern Vietnam are expected to experience scattered showers and thunderstorms on the nights of Saturday and Sunday.

Between Sunday and Tuesday next week, it will be mostly sunny with little rain, adding that temperatures may range from 33 to 35 degrees Celsius, according to director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorology Forecasting Mai Van Khiem.

Residents in central Vietnam could feel a bit of relief from the heat, with afternoon and evening thunderstorms possible from Monday through Tuesday.

Meanwhile, soaking showers may hit the Central Highlands and southern regions every day during the holiday, mostly in the afternoon and evening.

Khiem warned of possible flash floods and landslides in the Central Highlands region, as well as potential flooding in low-lying locations in the south.

In related news, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued a directive on Friday afternoon to the northern and Central Highlands provinces and cities to prepare for upcoming heavy downpours.

According to the national weather agency, the Central Highlands could experience moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms, with rainfall ranging from 40-100mm between Friday night to Sunday.

In the northern region, rainfall of 20-40mm accompanied by thunderstorms could hit the region from Friday night through Saturday, in addition to possible flash floods, landslides, and inundation.

The ministry demanded that the northern and Central Highlands locales dispatch task forces to residential areas near rivers, streams, and low-lying locations that are prone to flooding, flash floods, and landslides, to proactively evacuate people to safe areas.

Authorities have to adopt measures to ensure traffic safety for people and vehicles, especially in waterlogged areas and places with fast-flowing water; to protect production areas, industrial zones, urban locations, and densely populated areas.

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