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The projected path of the tropical depression. (Photo: nchmf.gov.vn)

A freshly-formed tropical depression in the northern part of the South China Sea (Bien Dong Sea) is likely to develop into a storm in the coming time, accompanied by the low-pressure trough developing through the northwest-southeast axis, the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has warned.

As a result, widespread rain will sweep across localities from Quang Binh to Quang Ngai in the days to come.

As of 1 pm on July 31, the depression’s center was at about 17.2 degrees north latitude and 112.5 degrees east longitude, right in the waters of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, packing winds of 40-60 kilometers per hour (level 6-7), shock at level 9.

For the next 24 hours, the low depression will move west-northwestwards at 10-15 kilometers per hour and could gain further vigor to become a storm.

By 1 pm on August 1, the center of the storm will be at about 18.3 degrees north latitude and 109.2 degrees east longitude, with the strongest winds near the center at level 8 (60-75 kilometers per hour), shock at level 10.

The danger zone in the South China Sea in the next 24 hours will be 15 degrees north latitude and 107 degrees east longitude.

In the next 24-48 hours, the storm will move west-northwestwards at speeds of 10-15 kilometers per hour. By 1 pm on August 2, the storm’s center will be about 19.5 degrees north latitude and 106.8 east longitude in the Gulf of Tonkin, 120 kilometers east-southeast of the coast of provinces from Thai Binh to Nghe An. The strongest winds near the storm’s center will be 60-75 kilometers per hour (level 8), shock at level 10.

Widespread torrential rains are in forecast. (Photo: vov)

For the following 48-72 hours, the storm will keep moving west-northwestwards at a speed of 10 kilometers per hour, heading into the northern and north-central provinces with a disaster risk at level 3.

Due to the strong influence of the storm, the northern part of the South China Sea will be likely to embrace for heavy thunderstorms, strong winds levels 6-7, a gust of level 10, sea waves from 3 to 5 m high, and rough seas.

The same wind levels, rough sea, and sea waves to a height of up to 4m will occur in the middle and southern parts of the South China Sea, including the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, and the waters off the coast of localities from Binh Thuan to Ca Mau, including the Phu Quy Island.

From August 1-3, torrential rains are forecast for the northern region, and localities from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri.

Meanwhile, the lower rainfall is possible in localities from Thua Thien Hue to Quang Nam, and the northern part of the Central Highlands.

Fishing boats have been asked to avoid dangerous areas or seek safe shelters. (Photo: VNA)

All fishing vessels operating in these serious waters might be affected by possible gusts and tornadoes.

In order to proactively respond to a tropical depression and possible widespread heavy downpours, the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has urged the authorities of coastal localities to inform their fishing boats of the predicted movement of the tropical depression, hereby allow them to take the initiative to avoid dangerous areas or seek safe shelters.

The localities were asked to closely manage the operation of vessels, and keep in touch with those operating at sea, while ensuring the safety of dykes and reservoirs, and preparing the workforce, machinery and equipment in response to the natural disasters./.

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