Tropical Depression Slams Northern Vietnam on August 19, Bringing Heavy Rain, Strong Winds and Landslide Warnings

Published on August 19, 2025

A tropical depression swept onto northern Vietnam’s coast early Tuesday, August 19, bringing torrential rain and strong gusts that raised landslide fears from the northern to the north-central provinces. By 7 a.m. forecasters pinpointed the center of the storm stretching from Quang Ninh to Hai Phong, packing sustained winds of 49 kilometers per hour. This event presented another round of extreme weather amid a season that has already seen a number of tropical systems.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warns the depression will spread heavy rains across the northeastern and north-central provinces. Soil has already soaked from earlier weather, and now forecasters say flash floods and landslides could strike quickly in the most at-risk communities.

Path of the Depression

The tropical depression moved into the Gulf of Tonkin early on August 18, with SGGPO and other observing groups confirming winds of level 6 to 7 (39–61 kilometers per hour) and peak gusts of level 9, or 75 to 88 kilometers per hour. At 10 a.m., the storm’s center was located around 115 kilometers southeast of Bach Long Vi Island.

The depression is expected to track west-northwest at about 15 kilometers per hour, aiming for the Quang Ninh and Lang Son regions before crossing into China and fading to a low-pressure area. Up to early August 19, gusts reached level 8 at several reporting sites, and heavy rain moved into the northeastern provinces and Thanh Hóa.

Rainfall and Regional Forecasts

Meteorologists say widespread and heavy rain will continue until Wednesday, August 20, bringing some areas dangerously high totals. Provinces in the northeast and Thanh Hóa are expected to get 50 to 150 millimeters, and in a few places totals could top 300 millimeters in just one day.

Nghệ An will see rain between 30 and 60 millimeters, with some local totals likely to go over 120 millimeters. Ha Tinh and Quang Tri are in line for 20 to 50 millimeters, but a few districts could also top 100 millimeters. Because the rain has been steady and the ground is already soaked, the risk for landslides and flash floods is high—especially in the mountains.

Coastal and Maritime Conditions

The depression sent rippling effects out over the water, striking the Gulf of Tonkin and the lee of Quang Tri, and raking Bach Long Vi and Co To islands with electrified weather. The storms gathered into squalls, reaching gale-force out over the depths, and sent the sea into upheaval, with walls of water rising 2 to 3.5 meters, enough to capsize the smallest craft and toss container ships.

Local officials told boat operators in the area to be extra careful or temporarily stop sailing to keep everyone safe. On land, the coastal provinces of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong felt the effects too, with high winds adding to the dangers for families and public services.

Warnings and Preparedness

Following the storm, Vietnam’s meteorological agency alerted 152 communes in Thanh Hóa, Nghệ An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, and Quang Ngai to heightened landslide risk. Prolonged downpours and already saturated soils now posed a significant threat, particularly to vulnerable villages and settlements nestled in the hilly areas.

Local authorities responded by tightening existing preparedness protocols. Families living in the most affected valleys and ridges received messages to stay vigilant, limit movement, and steer clear of paths that traverse steep, loose soil. Meanwhile, trained rescue squads pre-positioned equipment, ready to act swiftly if the weather brings further heavy deluges.

Context of Recent Storms

The new tropical depression has the East Sea on edge, following a busy storm season. Back in July, Tropical Storm Wipha made landfall in Northern Vietnam, slamming into provinces like Ninh Bình and Thanh Hóa. Wipha didn’t pack a punch, but the rain it brought was relentless, causing flash floods and landslides. The storm saddled the country with two lives lost, five injured, and forced the evacuation of several mountain wards in Nghệ An, where floodwaters swelled above one meter in neighborhoods.

Wipha also wrecked 687 houses and swamped over 119,000 hectares of rice paddies, hitting Ninh Bình the hardest. These numbers serve as a stark reminder of how the northern provinces can still be battered by a weak storm. The combination of soaking rain and steep hills leaves little room for safety, proving again that the region remains on the front lines of tropical turbulence.

Seasonal Outlook

Meteorological experts previously projected that the East Sea could see up to seven storms by October 2025, predicting that about three would reach the Vietnamese mainland. So far in 2023, the system now classified as a depression marks the fourth storm, keeping vigilance across the region in the coming weeks a necessity.

The string of disturbances strengthens the case for readiness across all tiers of government. When storms strike in quick succession, the fallout—including shattered roads, power outages, and ruined crops—stretches recovery resources and tests the ability of communities to bounce back and build future resilience.

Growing Concerns for Northern and Central Vietnam

The tropical depression that cam across on August 19 has hit Northern Vietnam when the region was already shaky from earlier floods and landslides. Predicted heavy rain and a chance of floods lasting longer have pushed provincial officials to keep a close watch on at-risk districts and to keep in touch with emergency teams.

For people living in the area, this storm brings back the memory of storms that come every season. For those making the laws, it clearly shows that now is the time to spend on stronger levees, safer slopes, and better warning systems.

Conclusion

The tropical depression that moved over northern Vietnam on August 19 has once again shown how exposed the region is to storms. Gusts of nearly 50 kilometers per hour, heavy rains, and alerts for possible landslides over 152 communes knocked routines off course and pushed worry about more harm to the top of the agenda.

Even though current models point to the depression fading as it crosses the Vietnam–China border, the rain and its dangers will stick around for several more days. With the storm season still open, officials are juggling the need to respond to current flooding and landslides while getting ready for whatever the next weather system might bring in the coming months.

[Source: VnExpress]