The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) reported that a tropical depression formed in the northeastern South China Sea on Tuesday evening, with winds reaching level 6 (49 km/h) and gusts up to level 8. It is moving west-northwest at about 10 km/h.
By 7 p.m. on Wednesday, the depression is expected to intensify into a typhoon, located approximately 530 km east-northeast of the Paracel Islands. Wind speeds are predicted to reach level 8, with gusts up to level 10. The system will continue moving northwest at about 10 km/h and may strengthen further. By 7 p.m. on Thursday, the typhoon will be in the northern South China Sea, with winds reaching level 9 and gusts up to level 11, maintaining its northwest trajectory.
According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the cyclone could reach a maximum sustained wind speed of around 105 km/h on 7/9 before making landfall in China. The weakening circulation may subsequently bring rain to the northern mountainous provinces of Vietnam.
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Forecast path and area of influence of the tropical depression. Photo: NCHMF |
Forecast path and area of influence of the tropical depression. Photo: NCHMF
Due to the influence of the tropical depression and potential typhoon, the northeastern South China Sea will experience strong winds of level 6, increasing to levels 7-8 with gusts up to level 10. Waves will reach 2-4 meters high. Vessels in the affected area are advised to seek safe harbor.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development urged coastal localities from Quang Ninh to Quang Ngai to closely monitor the situation, issue warnings to vessels, and prepare rescue forces.
Six typhoons have formed in the South China Sea since the beginning of the year. Most recently, Typhoon Nongfa made landfall in Ha Tinh - north Quang Tri with weak intensity and minimal damage. Prior to that, Typhoon Kajiki hit Thanh Hoa - Ha Tinh on 25/8, causing 9 deaths and missing persons, injuring 77 people, and damaging over 38,600 houses (with 510 collapsing completely). The total economic damage was estimated at 2,900 billion VND.
The NCHMF predicts that 5 to 7 typhoons or tropical depressions will form in the South China Sea from now until the end of the year, with 2 to 3 directly impacting the mainland, primarily from the central region southward. Cold air is forecast to arrive early, potentially leading to complex flood situations later in the year.
Gia Chinh
