The storm’s forecast track over the next few days. — Photo thoitietvietnam.gov.vn

ĐÀ NẴNG — Authorities in central Việt Nam are on high alert as Tropical Storm Fengshen is moving closer to shore, bringing the threat of violent winds, torrential rain and flooding across the region.

At 8am on Wednesday, Fengshen was about 270km east of Đà Nẵng, packing sustained winds of up to 100km/h and gusts reaching level 13 on the Beaufort scale (134-149km/h), according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

The storm is moving west-southwest at roughly 10 km/h and is expected to weaken into a tropical depression before making landfall early Thursday between Huế and Quảng Ngãi, then further dissipate into a low-pressure area as it moves inland.

Forecasters warned of dangerous conditions offshore, with waves as high as seven metres in parts of the northern East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea), including around the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) Archipelago.

Coastal areas from Quảng Trị to Quảng Ngãi – home to Cồn Cỏ, Cù Lao Chàm and Lý Sơn islands – could face waves up to five metres and storm surges of nearly a metre, posing a serious threat to fishing vessels and low-lying communities.

Inland, the storm’s outer bands are expected to collide with a surge of cold air from the north, intensifying rainfall and winds.

Meteorologists predict widespread downpours across the central provinces from Hà Tĩnh to Quảng Ngãi through Thursday, with totals ranging from 200 to 700mm, and in some places more than 900mm.

Authorities have warned of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, as well as urban flooding in coastal cities, including Huế and Đà Nẵng.

Reservoir operators have been told to closely monitor water levels and take precautionary measures as rivers may reach or exceed their highest flood alert thresholds.

Residents are urged to stay indoors, secure their property and avoid travelling during the storm. Travellers should keep track of flight updates as severe weather may disrupt transport. — VNS

Big waves spotted from Đà Nẵng beach as typhoon Fengsheng is inbound. — VNA/VNS Photo