Vietnam braced for more flooding

Tropical Depression Dianmu is strengthening as it barrels towards the country.

Hainan Floods
The storm has already caused flooding on the Chinese island of Hainan. [Reuters]

A tropical depression is heading towards Vietnam, threatening flooding and landslides.

The storm, named Dianmu, developed within a large weather system that has been plaguing southern China in recent days.

The rain has already triggered flooding in parts of southern China and, for some waterlogged areas, the downpours are set to become even more intense.

The storm is moving very slowly, at only about 7km an hour. This means that the region will see a prolonged onslaught of severe weather.

Dongfang, on the island of Hainan, has already reported 272 millimetres of rain over the past 24 hours and more rain is still falling.

The tropical depression is expected to cross the southwest peninsula of the Guangdong province later on Thursday before slamming into northern Vietnam on Friday.

Currently, any strengthening of the storm is being hampered by its interaction with land.

Before making landfall in Vietnam, however, Dianmu will cross the Gulf of Tonkin. The water there is very warm and this is expected to encourage the storm to intensify.

Much of northern Vietnam and Laos can expect to see torrential rain, which is likely to trigger flooding and landslides.

This storm comes less than three weeks after southern China was hit by Typhoon Nida. The remnants then drifted into northern Vietnam, causing widespread flooding and leading to the deaths of four people.

Source: Al Jazeera