VietNamNet Bridge - This year the East Sea will have nine to 10 storms and tropical depressions and four to five of them will directly affect Vietnam’s mainland, a lower number than the average of previous years, according to Hoang Duc Cuong, director of the National Meteorological Forecast Center.

From January to April, one to two hurricanes and tropical depressions may be formed in the East Sea and the southern coast of Vietnam.

Although the number of typhoons and tropical depressions this year is lower than the average of previous years, the number of active hurricanes on the East Sea will be higher than in 2014.

Last year there were eight storms and tropical depressions in the East Sea and three of them affected Vietnam. "It was odd that there was no storm and tropical depression in the East Sea last October," Cuong said.

According to Cuong, there will be fewer number of storms this year because the ENSO phenomenon has shifted to the hot phase. In the coming time, El Nino may occur, with weak intensity.

Thu Ly