At 7 a.m. today, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported the tropical depression had sustained winds of 61 km/h, level 6-7, with gusts up to level 9 over the eastern area of the Gulf of Tonkin. It was located 135 km southeast of Bach Long Vi island and moving west at 15 km/h.

By 7 a.m. tomorrow, the tropical depression is expected to intensify to level 6, with gusts up to level 8, shifting northwest over the Quang Ninh - Lang Son area. It is then predicted to change direction, moving towards the Vietnam-China border and weakening into a low-pressure area.

The Hong Kong Observatory forecasts the tropical depression will make landfall in Quang Ninh province tonight with winds of 45 km/h.

Projected path and area of influence of the tropical depression. Photo: *Disaster Monitoring System*

Due to the influence of the tropical depression, the southeastern sea area from Quang Tri to the Gulf of Tonkin (including Bach Long Vi and Co To islands) will experience thunderstorms and strong winds of level 6-7, gusting to level 9, with waves reaching 2-3.5 m. Vessels operating in these dangerous areas are likely to be affected.

Strong winds of level 6, gusting to level 8, are expected along the coastal areas of Quang Ninh - Hai Phong from this afternoon.

The meteorological agency warned that the tropical depression will cause heavy rain from now until 20/8. Northeast Vietnam and Thanh Hoa will experience widespread rainfall of 50-150 mm, with some areas exceeding 300 mm. Nghe An will see 30-60 mm of rain today and tonight, with localized amounts over 120 mm. Ha Tinh and Quang Tri can expect 20-50 mm, with some areas receiving over 100 mm.

With rain persisting for several days, leading to saturated soil, the meteorological agency has issued a landslide warning for 152 communes in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, and Quang Ngai.

On 16/8, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued an official dispatch to coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Khanh Hoa, along with relevant ministries and agencies, urging them to closely monitor the development of the tropical depression. They were also instructed to strictly manage offshore vessels, ensuring all boats and captains are informed of the storm's location and movement to take proactive preventative measures. Rescue forces and equipment are to be prepared for deployment if needed.

Since the beginning of the year, 4 typhoons have formed in the East Sea (South China Sea), two of which impacted Vietnam. The most recent, Typhoon Wipha, made landfall in Hung Yen - Ninh Binh. While not particularly strong, it caused heavy rain, especially in Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces, resulting in two deaths from floods and landslides, and five injuries. 687 houses were damaged or had their roofs blown off. Over 119,000 hectares of rice paddies, mainly in Ninh Binh, were flooded. Many households in the mountainous areas of Nghe An had to evacuate during the night, with floodwaters reaching up to a meter high in some homes.

A month ago, the meteorological agency predicted approximately 7 storms in the East Sea (South China Sea) by October, with 3 expected to make landfall.

Gia Chinh