Tropical Storm Barijat to aim for southern China with flooding rain late this week
Heavy, tropical rainfall is expected across southern China and northeastern Vietnam as Barijat sweeps through the area into Thursday.
Tropical Storm Barijat formed off the southwest coast of Taiwan on Tuesday afternoon, local time.
Prior to strengthening to a tropical storm, the system produced heavy rain across northern and eastern Taiwan on Saturday when an excess of 300 mm (12 inches) of rain fell across portions of New Taipei and Taipei cities.
The deluge continued on Sunday and Monday as additional rain fell across the area. A two-day rainfall total in Shilin District, along the northern coast of Taiwan, reached nearly 500 mm (20 inches).
Now in the South China Sea, Barijat will keep moving westward, remaining south of Hong Kong and taking aim for southern China.
“The provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan in China will be most at risk, as well as northeastern Vietnam,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty.
“However, as Barijat approaches land, it will also begin to weaken,” Douty added.
Despite the anticipated sustained wind speed drop, gusty winds will still be possible near the center of the storm, especially over the waters of the South Qiongzhou Straight and the Gulf of Tonkin and along the coastlines. Coastal flooding is likely in these areas.
Barijat will bring waves of heavy rain through Thursday. Rainfall amounts of 100-150 mm (4-6 inches) are possible with locally higher amounts. Flash flooding and mudslides will be possible in some of the hardest-hit areas.
Behind Barijat, Super Typhoon Mangkhut will also be approaching eastern Asia and could bring rounds of rain to some of the same areas in southern China.
The worst flooding may await the arrival of Mangkhut, which is the stronger cyclone of the two threats. The rainfall from Barijat will set the stage for a more significant flood event once Mangkhut arrives.
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