A tropical low that has been spinning near the southeast coast of China since last week finally became Tropical Storm Bebinca on Monday and will bring several days of heavy rainfall to parts of China and Vietnam this week.
The storm, which is currently located between Hainan and Hong Kong in the South China Sea, will slowly track north and west just off the coast of southeast China through Tuesday. By Eric Leister, Senior meteorologist reported on AccuWeather.com.
A west to southwest track from Wednesday through Friday will take the storm across the Leizhou Peninsula and into the Gulf of Tonkin before making a final landfall in northern Vietnam.
Interaction with land is expected to keep Bebinca from gaining strength as it meanders near or over land this week; however, the slow movement of the storm will bring a significant risk for flooding.
Bebinca will bring rough seas which will threaten shipping interests in the region.
Bebinca to bring flooding rainfall to Vietnam this week
Wind damage will be localized and largely limited to tree damage and power outages due to wind gusts of 65-80 km/h (40-50 mph).
The heaviest rainfall through Wednesday will be across northern Hainan Island and the Leizhou Peninsula where 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) of rainfall is expected with local amounts exceeding 300 mm (12 inches).
This magnitude of rainfall will likely result in widespread flooding and travel disruptions across the region.
The coastal region of southeast China from Macau westward through Guangxi province will endure daily downpours that will produce localized flooding and travel delays. Total rainfall of 50-100 mm (2-4 inches) is expected in these areas.
Improvement is expected across the Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan late Wednesday into Thursday as Bebinca continues westward and sets its sight on northern Vietnam.
The worst of the storm is forecast to batter northern Vietnam, including Hanoi, on Thursday and Friday.
Widespread rainfall of 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) is expected which will result in a heightened risk for flooding and mudslides and produce significant travel disruption.
Bebinca will dissipate over northern Indochina this weekend; however, additional showers and thunderstorms will occur across northern Vietnam.
The heaviest rainfall on Saturday and Sunday will be from northern Laos into Myanmar where localized flooding and mudslides will be possible.