Hanoi is bracing itself for intense rain and floods as two tropical storms converge in the Gulf of Tonkin in the next 24 hours. The city has already experienced flooding and warnings have been issued over major damage to north-central rice harvests.

The expected path of tropical storm Haima, which will likely move downward into the Gulf of Tonkin

A tropical depression forming to the east of the Philippines’ Luzon Island is set to intensify tomorrow (June 24), bringing heavy rains to northern Vietnam.

According to the Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Centre, the storm would influence the movement of another storm, Haima, which is likely to turn into a tropical depression after hitting China’s Luichow Peninsula.

The new storm is set to drag Storm Haima downwards into the Gulf of Tonkin from the Vietnam-China border, where it will likely hit the Gulf of Tonkin tonight and lie there for a few days, affecting north-central provinces from Ha Tinh to Quang Binh.

Hanoi is bracing itself for severe rain on the morning of June 24, with heavy flooding expected.

Downpours of 100-400 mm will rage over the weekend, especially in coastal areas, the centre said.

The Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control said northern localities will struggle to save crops as only 12-15% of the summer-autumn rice crop has so far been harvested.

Localities have been advised to prepare for severe flooding.

Flooded roads in Hanoi on June 23 afternoon

Sheltering from the rain under Kim Lien Tunnel on June 23 afternoon

A wedding car flooded in Hanoi’s historic flood in 2008