VietNamNet Bridge – The National Hydro Meteorological Forecasting Center on Thursday announced that the tropical low pressure system had entered the southeastern parts of the East Sea and was now heading towards the south central and southern provinces.

Direction of the tropical low pressure system. (Photo: www.nchmf.gov.vn)

By 10am on Thursday, the tropical low pressure system was located 11.8 degrees latitude north and 114.1 degrees longitude east, on northern waters off Truong Sa Islands, packing strong wind speeds of level 7 with gusts up to level 8-9.

In the next 12 hours, the tropical low pressure system will move westwards at 25 kph and possibly strengthen into a storm. By 10pm on Thursday, the storm will center at 12.0 degrees latitude north and 111.2 degrees longitude east, about 230 kilometers east of the coastline from Phu Yen to Binh Thuan provinces, with gusts of level 9-10.

Within the next 12 to 24 hours, the storm will continue to go westwards then possibly change direction to move west-southwest at 25 kph to make landfall in the south central coast and subsequently weaken in strength. By 10am on Friday, the system will be at 11.6 degrees latitude north and 108.0 degrees longitude east, in the regions from Lam Dong to Binh Thuan provinces, wrapping maximum wind speeds of below level 6.

The tropical low pressure system combined with air turbulence and an intense cold snap will cause northern waters off Truong Sa Islands to face strong winds of level 6-9.

From Thursday evening, waters from Binh Dinh to Binh Thuan provinces will see wind speeds gradually strengthen to level 6-8 with gusts up to level 9-10 and rough seas; and inland waters of provinces from Phu Yen to Ninh Thuan will have strong winds of level 6-8.

Central coastal provinces will have heavy rains. This evening and tonight, rain will be widespread across south central coast, central highland, and southern provinces. In addition, due to intense cold snap, the Gulf of Tonkin will experience strong winds of level 6-7 and rough sea.

On Wednesday, the Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control in Ho Chi Minh City asked the People’s Committee of Can Gio District to inform and forbid boats from heading out to open sea until further notice; the City coastguards must tighten control at river mouths and seaports to ensure that local fishermen follow orders; and City coastguards must collaborate with Can Gio District to inform boats that were still out at sea and coastal residents about the location and direction of the tropical low pressure system, for them to navigate out of danger zone to safer havens.

Source: SGGP