The year 2024 witnessed unprecedented natural disasters in Vietnam, with extreme heatwaves, storms, and heavy rainfall breaking multiple records. Experts warn that with La Niña active, severe weather events may intensify further in the coming months.

Storm Yagi: The strongest in 30 years

According to Dr. Hoang Phuc Lam, Deputy Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, 11 tropical cyclones formed in the East Sea in 2024, including 10 storms and one tropical depression. Five storms directly impacted Vietnam: Storms Prapiroon (No. 2), Yagi (No. 3), Soulik (No. 4), Tra Mi (No. 6), and Yinxing (No. 7).

Storm Yagi, which made landfall in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong, was particularly destructive, with sustained winds of 10–12 on the Beaufort scale, gusting up to 15. At Bai Chay weather station in Quang Ninh, winds reached level 14 (gusts of 17) at a height of 34 meters. Northern provinces experienced winds of 8–10, while Hanoi recorded winds of 6–7 with gusts up to level 9.

Dr. Lam described Yagi as "the strongest storm in the past 30 years."

Record-breaking rainfall and flooding

Throughout 2024, Vietnam experienced 22 widespread heavy rain events. One of the most significant occurred from September 6–12, linked to Storm Yagi and an associated tropical convergence zone.

Rainfall in northern Vietnam exceeded 4–6 times the historical average for early September, with extraordinary figures recorded at:

Sa Pa (Lao Cai): 517 mm, exceeding the average by 440%.

Luc Yen (Yen Bai): 503 mm, exceeding by 461%.

Dinh Hoa (Thai Nguyen): 545 mm, exceeding by 677%.

Son Dong (Bac Giang): 386 mm, exceeding by 488%.

This extreme rainfall led to severe flooding and landslides in the northern and midland regions, causing significant damage to infrastructure and communities.

2024’s disasters were particularly devastating, resulting in 514 deaths or missing persons and economic losses estimated at over 88.7 trillion VND ($3.74 billion).

Extreme heatwaves and record-high temperatures

Vietnam also experienced 19 heatwaves in 2024, slightly fewer than in 2023. However, these heatwaves lasted longer, with the most prolonged event occurring in southeastern Vietnam from March 8 to May 16, lasting 70 days.

In April, 110 out of 186 monitoring stations recorded the highest-ever daily temperatures. In Dong Ha (Quang Tri), temperatures peaked at 44°C on April 28, the highest recorded since 1976 and the third-highest in Vietnam’s history.

Intense cold spells

The year 2024 saw 21 cold spells, including four extreme cold events in northern and north-central Vietnam. From January 22–29, severe cold gripped these regions, with temperatures in mountainous areas such as Mau Son (Lang Son) and Phia Oac (Cao Bang) dropping below freezing. The lowest temperature recorded was -3°C in Mau Son, accompanied by frost.

Another notable cold wave occurred in mid-December, marking the first widespread cold snap of the 2024-2025 winter season. In mountainous areas, temperatures plummeted to 3.2°C in Mau Son and 5.2°C in Dong Van (Ha Giang).

Forecast for early 2025

Dr. Lam predicts that La Niña will continue influencing Vietnam’s climate in 2025, bringing more extreme weather. In February, strong cold spells could cause frost and freezing conditions in northern mountainous areas. Other dangerous phenomena such as thunderstorms, hail, lightning, and tornadoes are expected nationwide, threatening agriculture and public health.

As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, experts emphasize the need for robust disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies to protect lives and livelihoods.

Bao Anh