Tropical Storm Chaba's predicted path. — Photo VNA/VNS/NCHMF

HÀ NỘI — A tropical depression to the north of the East Sea has strengthened into a storm, the first hitting the waters this year, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

Named Chaba, the storm is forecast to create strong winds and rough seas in the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea).

At 1pm on Thursday, the eye of the storm was about 370km from Hoàng Sa (Paracel) archipelago. The strongest wind near its eye was 75-88km per hour.

The storm is forecast to move northwest at a speed of 10-15km per hour. It is expected to be 200km from northern Quảng Ninh Province at around 1pm on Sunday with the wind reaching level 9 (75-88km per hour), and with gusts at level 12.

By 7am on Monday, it will change its direction to move north-northwest with a speed of about 5-10km, with the intensity expected to weaken.

The NCHMF warns of strong winds (39-61km per hour) and high waves of 4-6m in the north of the East Sea.

Meanwhile, the northern region has experienced heavy rains over the past few days with rainfall in many areas measuring up to over 100mm. Rain is forecast to continue and develop complicatedly in the next few days, posing high risks of flash floods and landslides in the northern region.

In order to cope with the storm and rains, the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control on Thursday sent an urgent message, ordering northern localities and coastal provinces from Quảng Ninh to Bình Định to proactively take preventive measures.

They are required to closely monitor developments in order to instruct vessels to find safe shelter and take measures to ensure the safety of people. 

Localities must also make plans to evacuate people living in areas at high-risk floods and landslides and have measures to ensure safety for people and tourists on islands. 

Measures must be implemented to protect dyke systems and ensure the safety of dams, especially key reservoirs, small hydroelectric reservoirs and works under construction or repair. — VNS