The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that at 1 PM on 23/7, a tropical depression was located in the northeast area of the South China Sea. It had maximum sustained winds of 61 km/h (level 6-7), with gusts reaching level 9. The depression is moving west-southwest at 10-15 km/h.

By 1 AM tomorrow, the tropical depression is expected to intensify to level 7, with gusts up to level 9. By 1 PM the same day, it is forecast to strengthen into a typhoon with winds reaching level 8 and gusts up to level 10 over the northeastern area of the South China Sea. The typhoon will then reverse course, moving east-northeast at 10 km/h, weakening and exiting the South China Sea, posing no threat to Vietnam's mainland.

The tropical depression poses no threat to Vietnam's mainland. Photo: Disaster Monitoring System

The tropical depression poses no threat to Vietnam's mainland. Photo: Disaster Monitoring System

The Japan Meteorological Agency predicts that the tropical depression will strengthen into a typhoon tomorrow with maximum sustained winds of 72 km/h. It will then reverse course, heading north of Luzon Island, Philippines, and subsequently weaken. The Hong Kong Observatory shares a similar prediction regarding its path but estimates a higher intensity of approximately 85 km/h.

Due to the tropical depression, the northeastern part of the South China Sea will experience strong winds of level 6-7, increasing to level 8 near the center of the typhoon, with gusts up to level 10. Wave heights are expected to reach 2-4 meters. Vessels operating in these hazardous areas are likely to be affected.

Since the start of the year, the South China Sea has seen three typhoons, two of which impacted Vietnam. The most recent, Typhoon Wipha, made landfall between Hung Yen and Ninh Binh yesterday afternoon. The highest recorded wind speed was level 10, with gusts reaching level 14 at the Tien Yen station (Quang Ninh).

Despite its moderate strength, the typhoon brought heavy rainfall, especially to the provinces of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An. Total rainfall over three days, from 7 PM on 20/7 to 7 AM today, reached 487 mm in Sam Son (Thanh Hoa), 390 mm in Muong Long (Nghe An), 338 mm in Phu Le (Ninh Binh), and 205 mm in Da Coc (Hung Yen).

The heavy rain led to one person going missing in Nghe An due to flash floods, along with damage and roof loss to 420 houses. Over 119,000 hectares of rice paddies, mostly in Ninh Binh, were flooded. Many households in the mountainous regions of Nghe An had to evacuate during the night, with floodwaters reaching up to a meter high in some homes.

Meteorological agencies forecast that from now until October, the South China Sea will experience about seven typhoons, three of which are expected to make landfall.

Gia Chinh

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