A low in the southern East Sea will intensify and is likely to generate high winds and heavy rain from central to southern provinces, warns the National Hydro Meteorology Forecasting Centre.

The low, which is forecast to travel northwest at between 10-15kph for the next 24 hours, will bring winds of up to level 9 (at a speed of 75 to 88 kph), rough seas and heavy rain along the coast from Quang Nam to Ca Mau provinces, it says.

A southwest wind will deliver heavy rain to central and southern provinces and the Central Highlands.

Rain is forecast throughout the country for the next two days; Hanoi and other northern localities can expect overcast skies and rain.

The National Flood and Storm Prevention and Control Committee has instructed officials from Quang Nam to Ca Mau to monitor the low and take preventive measures if needed.

Storm Chanthu, which made landfall in China 's Guangxi Zhuang last week, delivered heavy rain and landslides that killed 10 people and injured four others in Vietnam 's northern highlands.

The National Hydro Meteorology Forecasting Centre had begun a three-month trial of an urgent warning system of extreme weather for inner Hanoi , said its deputy director Le Thanh Hai.

The system would be based on data and information from weather radars in northern Phu Tho province, Hai Phong and central Nghe An province, he said.

The Voice Of Vietnam Traffic programme would broadcast the information during rush hours.

The deputy director said the system would provide more specific weather information much faster than a usual forecast and had issued three accurate warnings of storms and heavy rain this month.

The system would be available for the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi and help municipal agencies deal with extreme weather, especially heavy rain that caused serious floods.

The system would be extended to other cities if successful./.