Typhoon Ragasa weakens, 570 km from Quang Ninh

As of this afternoon, Typhoon Ragasa has weakened to a category 15 storm as it approaches the Leizhou Peninsula (China), and is no longer a super typhoon. It is forecast to enter the Gulf of Tonkin tonight with winds of category 10-11.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that at 10 a.m., the typhoon was approximately 570 km east of Mong Cai (Quang Ninh), with maximum sustained winds of 183 km/h, category 15, and gusts exceeding category 17. It was moving west-northwest at 20 km/h. In the past six hours, the typhoon has decreased one category and is expected to weaken further due to land interaction and the influence of dry air moving down from the north.

After passing over the Leizhou Peninsula and entering the Gulf of Tonkin tonight, the typhoon is expected to be off the coast of Quang Ninh - Hai Phong by 10 a.m. tomorrow, with maximum sustained winds of category 10 and gusts two categories higher. The typhoon's center is then projected to make landfall in Quang Ninh with winds of category 8-9, moving deeper into Northeast Vietnam and weakening into a tropical depression with winds of category 5-6 and gusts of category 7-8.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the typhoon's current strength at 180 km/h, predicting a decrease to 72 km/h (category 8) as it nears Mong Cai. The Hong Kong Observatory estimates the typhoon will maintain winds of approximately 110 km/h (category 11) upon reaching Vietnam.

Projected path and area of influence of Typhoon Ragasa, midday 24/9. Photo: NCHMF

Projected path and area of influence of Typhoon Ragasa, midday 24/9. Photo: NCHMF

Due to the typhoon's influence, the eastern waters of the northern Gulf of Tonkin (including Bach Long Vy Special Economic Zone) are experiencing winds of category 6-7 with gusts up to category 9. From tonight, the northern Gulf of Tonkin (including Bach Long Vy, Van Don, Co To, Cat Hai, and Hon Dau island special economic zones) will see winds gradually increase from category 7 to 11, with waves reaching 2-5 m in height.

Storm surges along the coast of Quang Ninh province are expected to be 0.4-0.6 m. From tomorrow night until the end of the night of 26/9, Northern Vietnam, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An provinces will experience widespread rainfall of 100-250 mm, with some areas receiving over 400 mm. This heavy rainfall could cause flooding in low-lying areas, flash floods in small rivers and streams, and landslides on steep slopes.

The Prime Minister has issued an official dispatch requesting the Secretaries and Chairpersons of the People's Committees of provinces and cities from Ha Tinh northward to focus on directing response measures to the typhoon, prioritizing the safety of the people, ensuring the safety of vessels operating at sea and near the coast, and protecting houses, warehouses, factories, offices, schools, healthcare facilities, dike systems, and reservoirs.

Satellite image of Typhoon Ragasa at 11:30 a.m. today. Photo: Department of Meteorology and Hydrology

Satellite image of Typhoon Ragasa at 11:30 a.m. today. Photo: Department of Meteorology and Hydrology

Provinces and cities need to review their typhoon preparedness plans, be ready to evacuate residents to ensure safety before the typhoon makes landfall, and deploy search and rescue efforts in the event of adverse situations. Ministries and agencies are to implement typhoon prevention measures according to their assigned tasks, with the understanding that complacency is unacceptable.

Typhoon Ragasa originated on 18/9 from a tropical depression off the coast of the Philippines. Three days later, it intensified by eight categories to become a super typhoon, and by the evening of 22/9, it entered the East Sea (South China Sea), reaching its peak intensity at category 17 with winds of 221 km/h. Ragasa surpassed Typhoon Yagi in 2024 to become the strongest typhoon in the East Sea in the past 70 years.