Tropical depression in East Sea likely to become storm in 24 hours

A tropical depression formed in the East Sea is forecast to become a tropical storm in the next 24 hours, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

The projected path of the tropical depression (Photo: kttv.gov.vn)
The projected path of the tropical depression (Photo: kttv.gov.vn)

The NCHMF said that by 7am October 29, the tropical depression was about 140km east of Vietnam’s Song Tu Tay Island, under Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago. For the next 24 hours, the tropical depression is moving west-northwest with a speed a 15km per hour.

The tropical depression is forecast to be located approximately 300km east of the provinces of Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa by 7am on October 30. The strongest winds near the centre of the potential storm are expected to be 60-90km per hour (level 8-9).

In the next 24 to 48 hours, the tropical storm will move rapidly to the west with a speed of 20-25km every hour and will make landfall in the provinces from Binh Dinh to Ninh Thuan. After that, the storm is expected to weaken into a tropical depression.

By 7am on October 31, the tropical depression’s centre is forecast to be at 12.5 degrees north latitude and 108.0 degrees east longitude on the land of Central Highlands provinces with the strongest winds at speeds from 40-60km per hour.

The tropical depression is forecast to make landfalls in the provinces of Thua Thien – Hue to Ninh Thuan and Central Highlands provinces on October 30-31. On October 31 to November 2, provinces from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien – Hue will suffer medium to heavy rains.

The NCHMF warned that heavy rains are likely to pour down over Central and South Central provinces on November 4-5.