The highest flood crest this year of main rivers in the northern region is forecasted to appear in late July and August, reported by the National Hydro-meteorological Forecast Centre.

Illustration photo

It is expected to be higher than the highest flood crest of the northern region\'s river system last year, said deputy director of the centre Le Thanh Hai.

In southern region, the highest flood crest in two rivers of Tien and Hau is likely higher than last year, an early flood may occur in MeKong (Cuu Long) River in early this month, Hai said.

The centre warns that big floods will appear in both rivers and streams in the central highland region.

According to Hai, ENSO (El Nino/La Nina-Southern Oscillation) has a tendency to become ENSO-neutral condition.

So, it causes weather conditions and hydrology nation-wide more and more complicated, he said.

Localities are advised to actively prevent strong storms, flood, flash floods and landslides, especially in mountainous areas in northern, central and central highland regions.

Besides, due to climate change, strong storms are warned to appear with a high frequency and have more impacts on central and southern provinces.

The southern region was rarely seen storms, they used to appear every ten years in the past, he said.

But recently, big storms appear more regularly in 1997, 2000 and 2006.

The centre has difficulties in forecasting storm appearance due to uncompleted observational figures and abnormal signs of weather conditions this year, Hai said.

However, we have continued making efforts to give early and prompt warnings to people, he said.