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What we can expect in SEPTEMBER 2009

Statistics

	Average temperature 26.5 C Average rainfall 238.6 mm Cloud cover 7.7/10 Humidity 81 % Rainy days 17.3 Sunshine 175 hrs.

September may not be the cruellest month where rain's concerned, offering on average a few millimetres less than we get in August, but as the second wettest of the year it isn't the greatest time for getting around. The good thing about it is that we can expect the rains to tail off rapidly as from the end of the month, so that in mid-October the seasons suddenly switch round, one day the winds coming out of China rather than the southern oceans, the blissful cool season beginning. Apart from the odd and potentially violent storm as the autumn typhoons come in across the Northeast from Vietnam and the China Sea, that should be the end of the rains till round about March next year. Tough on the plants of the region, but good for the tourists - and for all those in tourism-related businesses.

Still, there's this month to be got through, and we can expect heavy falls of rain, sometimes stretching over a couple of days, and lots of cloud cover even when it's comparatively dry. There will also be sunny, hot and humid spells, but it's as well to keep your folding umbrella handy if you're in town, and some sort of waterproof clothing - ponchos etc - when you're out in the sticks or up in the mountains.

It's also the month and the weather for bugs of all sorts and sizes, so keep your insect repellent ready for use. Last year there was a rather severe outbreak of dengue /haemorrhagic fever affecting the whole country, with a number of fatalities. This year there have been no announcements so it's probably not quite as acute. However, there is a new mosquito-borne viral infection called chikungunya which is best avoided, as your editor can attest. Better safe than sorry so be careful what you eat and drink too. When in doubt, don't! Out in the boonies it's as well to carry iron rations for the times reliable food is not available. Malaria - the potentially fatal falsiparum variety - is easily picked up in the hills and forests around the North, but can be treated effectively if caught early. You're highly unlikely to catch it in town. Anyway, keep covered up against daytime mosquitoes carrying dengue, and avoid the dawn, dusk, overnight mozzies transmitting malaria by using repellent and sleeping screened or netted.

The other hazard to guard against comes from travel itself. On surfaced roads there are lots of serious holes and ruts, but down on the plain it's mainly your fellow road-users you have to watch out for. Up in the hills, out in the country, on the other hand, unsurfaced tracks that provide great trail bike and off-road vehicle routes become very difficult indeed during this and early next month. If you're doing anything without hired vehicles and guides, get good advice first about viability.