Vietnam to have 10 storms and tropical depressions in 2014

According to the National Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Centre, of the 9-10 storms, about 4-5 will have direct influence on mainland Vietnam. This is 1-2 storms less than the average of previous years.

However, the centre warned of stronger storms that move not under any rule or tropical depressions and storms repeatedly in a short time.

In late January and early February this year, storm Kajiki formed on the east of Philippines but it weakened into a tropical depression after entering the East Sea. This was also the first tropical depression of the year. It disappeared on the west of Truong Sa Archipelago and did not affect mainland Vietnam.

In terms of temperature, the Central Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Centre said the temperatures in March and April are at the average of many years ago, a bit higher in the northwestern region.

From May to October, the average temperature in the country will be higher than the average of the previous years.

The heat may appear soon, especially in the northwestern provinces, the north of the central region and the south.

The number of fierce heat waves in the North may focus from May to July, in the Central Region may last from May to August.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting, from the end of last year to the first 10 days of March this year, the central coastal provinces, the Central Highlands and the southern provinces, the common rainfall reduced by 50-90% compared to the average of many years ago.

Due to less rain in the first months of the dry season, the flows on river in the Central Region and the Central Highlands are low.

The Meteorological Agency said that water shortages and droughts in the Central Region may be improved at the end of August, while in the Central Highlands and southern region, this may end in late May and early June.-VNA