HÀ NỘI — Storms and tropical depressions are likely to arrive earlier and with more frequency in the East Sea than in the average monsoon season, the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) said. However, in the next three months, there is little chance of storms and tropical depressions making landfall. Sea waves and sea level, which have enjoyed a peaceful period this year thanks to rather weak and infrequent cold snaps coming from the north, will get stirred up in May, due to early storms. The agency also predicted a shortage of water – even drought – in some localities, such as the northeast region, central provinces of Thanh Hoá and Nghệ An, and Gia Lai, Đắk Lắk in the Central Highlands. Salinisation threats posed to the southern region in the coming dry season will be on the same level as the 2013-2014 period, meaning a relief from the 2016 issues.

Source: Viet Nam News February 20, 2017 10:45 UTC