The Khanh Hoa Provincial Meteorological and Hydrological Station is proactively preparing for rainfall and flood forecasts in the remaining months of the year.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Truong.

- Sir, in recent years, Khánh Hòa has often experienced complex rainfall and flooding during the last months of the year, causing landslides and localized flooding. What is the forecast for rainfall and flooding in the remaining months of 2026 from the Provincial Meteorological and Hydrological Station?

In the final months of 2026, under the influence of a predicted very strong El Niño, Khanh Hoa province is expected to experience high temperatures, lower-than-average rainfall, and an early end to the rainy season. Total rainfall is predicted to be 5-20% lower than the multi-year average. However, rainfall may be unevenly distributed, concentrated in short periods with high intensity. Therefore, precautions should be taken against flash floods, landslides, and localized flooding, especially between mid-October and November.

Given the topography of Khanh Hoa, heavy rainfall over a short period can increase the risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas such as Khanh Son, Khanh Vinh, Anh Dung, Lam Son, and Bac Ai Tay. In addition, attention should be paid to populated hilly areas north and south of Nha Trang, slopes, embankments, some southern coastal roads, and inter-provincial routes to Lam Dong and Dak Lak.

Regarding flooding, low-lying areas along and downstream of the Dinh River in Ninh Hoa, the Cai River in Nha Trang , and the Cai River in Phan Rang require special attention. Areas at risk of flooding include low-lying areas in Ninh Hoa, Nha Trang, Dien Khanh, Dien Dien, Phan Rang, Dong Hai, and Ninh Phuoc.

Because most rivers in the province are short and steep, with a rapid rate of water accumulation, floods can rise quickly during prolonged or intense heavy rainfall. This situation can increase the risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas and flooding in low-lying, downstream areas.

The Ninh Hai hydrological station (Vinh Hai commune) automatically measures rainfall, tides, wave height, and salinity.

- Given the current situation, what solutions does the Khanh Hoa Provincial Meteorological and Hydrological Station have to improve the quality of disaster forecasting and warning in the remaining months of 2026, sir?

Currently, the Khanh Hoa Provincial Meteorological and Hydrological Station uses central government forecasting models, combined with satellite cloud imagery and weather radar data, to monitor and forecast weather developments. These tools support early warning of flash flood risks approximately 1-3 hours in advance in some key areas of the province.

However, predicting flash floods and localized landslides remains a major challenge. Current models mainly provide broad-based forecasts and warnings, so the accuracy in specific areas is limited. The quality of warnings depends on many factors such as rainfall intensity and frequency, soil structure, vegetation cover, and terrain slope.

In addition, the station utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and very short-term forecasting systems to analyze and quantitatively predict rainfall on an hourly basis, contributing to improved detail in forecast information. AI and big data tools, including the VNDMS disaster monitoring system, support the synthesis and processing of data on topography, soil structure, and rainfall; calculate soil moisture, and determine the risk of soil saturation to serve landslide warnings down to the commune level.

When dangerous weather patterns are likely to affect Khanh Hoa, the station issues forecast and warning bulletins 2-3 days in advance; and regularly updates information and reports to the provincial leadership and the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue, and Civil Defense. Warning information is also transmitted to relevant departments, agencies, communes, and wards via email, Zalo, telephone, and other appropriate platforms.

For reservoirs, the reservoir owner needs to coordinate with the weather station to establish regulations for receiving forecast and warning bulletins and sharing data in accordance with the law .

- During periods of heavy rain and flooding, unverified information often appears on social media, causing panic among the public. What advice would you give to help people access official information and proactively respond?

During the rainy season in the last months of the year, people need to regularly monitor weather forecasts and warnings from official sources, including the Khanh Hoa Provincial Meteorological and Hydrological Station, the online warning system of the Meteorological and Hydrological sector, local authorities, and media agencies, especially Khanh Hoa Newspaper and Radio and Television.

When storms, heavy rains, floods, flash floods, or landslides occur, people need to follow the instructions of local authorities and competent agencies. At the same time, they should proactively monitor weather forecasts and warnings, prepare preventative measures, and be ready to evacuate from dangerous areas when required, not being complacent in the face of unusual weather developments.

Thank you very much, sir!

THAI THINH (compiled)