At 7 a.m., the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported the tropical depression had sustained winds of 49 km/h, level 6, with gusts reaching level 8. It was moving west-northwest at 10 km/h. By 7 a.m. tomorrow, the tropical depression is expected to strengthen to level 6-7, with gusts up to level 8, and will be located approximately 780 km northeast of the Paracel Islands.

By 7 a.m. on 6/7, the tropical depression is predicted to shift direction to east-northeast, accelerate to 15-20 km/h, reach level 7 with gusts increasing by two levels, and be located in the waters southwest of Hainan Island (China).

Projected path of the tropical depression. Photo: NCHMF

Projected path of the tropical depression. Photo: NCHMF

Both the Japanese and Hong Kong meteorological agencies predict the tropical depression will intensify into a typhoon tomorrow. The typhoon could reach a maximum wind speed of 120 km/h, but is not expected to impact Vietnam's mainland.

Due to the influence of the tropical depression, the northeastern area of the South China Sea will experience thunderstorms and strong winds of level 6-7, with gusts up to level 9, and waves of 2-4 meters. Vessels operating in this area are likely to be affected.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development urged coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to An Giang to monitor the depression's development and notify ship captains and owners to proactively avoid the affected area.

Since the beginning of the year, one typhoon, Wutip, has formed in the South China Sea. Although it did not make landfall in Vietnam, its western circulation caused heavy and prolonged rainfall in the south-central region from 11/6 to 13/6. Rainfall totals ranged from 300-650 mm in areas from Quang Tri to Da Nang, with some areas like Nam Dong (Hue) receiving as much as 768 mm. River levels rose to alert levels 2-3.

The resulting floods caused 11 fatalities in Hue, Quang Tri, and Quang Binh. Over 3,500 houses were flooded and approximately 88,000 hectares of crops were submerged. Dozens of locations on national and provincial highways experienced landslides and flooding. Transportation and air travel were disrupted, with over 20 flights from Da Nang canceled or delayed. The Miss Vietnam finale, scheduled for the evening of 14/6 on the Perfume River, had to be postponed.

This year, 11-13 typhoons and tropical depressions are forecast to develop in the South China Sea, with 5-6 potentially making landfall. Northern Vietnam faces a high risk from July to September, while central and southern Vietnam are at risk from September to November.

Gia Chinh