VietNamNet Bridge - This year, there will be about 10 to 12 storms and tropical depressions in the East Sea, with four to five directly affecting the mainland of Vietnam, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecast.

Many floating houses in Ha Long Bay near Quang Ninh Province were devastated by the storm Haiyan in 2013.

According to the center, hot weather has appeared early, especially in the Northwest, the Central Region and the South. In particular, the most intense heat waves in the northern region will occur from June to July and from June to August in the central region.

Mr. Vo Van Hoa, the center’s deputy director, says the rainy season in the North will come later, with total rainfall lower than the average of previous years. Heavy rains will mainly come from June to August.

In the central coastal provinces, especially the provinces from Nghe An to Ninh Thuan, the time from June to August will be the dry season, with rainfall lower than the average of many years ago.

"Therefore, water shortages and drought in this region will last until mid-August," he says.

In the South and Central Highlands, the rainy season will also come late and the rainfall will be approximately similar to the average of previous years.

Water shortages and drought in the Central Highlands and the South may be prolonged. However, drought will not be as severe as the previous years.

According to Mr. Hoa, in 2014 the number of storms and tropical depressions in the East Sea will be between 10 and 12, with four or five of them directly affecting Vietnam’s mainland.

However, the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecast said that storms and tropical depressions this year may develop in an abnormal manner.

Son Thu