Vietnam is forecast to experience 10-12 storms and tropical low pressure areas in the East Sea in 2014, unchanged from the annual average, said the Ministry of National Resources and Environment (MoNRE). The ministry expects the number of storms and tropical low pressures making landfall to decrease to four or five, lower than the previous year, the ministry said. Hot weather is likely to occur earlier than usual this year, especially in the northwestern, north-central and southern regions, the ministry was cited by state-run Suc Khoe Doi Song newspaper as saying on June 2. Heat waves are expected to hit Vietnam’s northern region from May to July and the central region from May to August. The common rainfall, meanwhile, will remain at the average of recent years. In the northern region, heavy rains may occur from June to August, later than usual. Vietnam lost around VND28 trillion ($1.3 billion), equivalent to 1% of GDP, due to natural disasters in 2013. (Suc Khoe Doi Song – Health & Life June 2 p2)
