HÀ NỘI — Storm Sarika weakened into a low tropical pressure this morning over the sea some 60km away from the Quảng Ninh coast.

Typhoon Sarika was believed to be the most dangerous and strongest storm to hit Việt Nam in recent years.

Wind speed was just at a maximum of 60km per hour, according to the National Hydrometeorological Forecast Centre.

Weather experts said the storm weakened because when it entered the Tonkin Gulf where it was cooler, it could not gain strength, plus there was no “support” from the southeast wind.

The low tropical pressure is moving to the north and is expected to become a low pressure area by the time it reaches China.

Its influence continued to cause wind speed of up to 60km per hour in the north of the Tonkin Gulf and the island districts of Cô Tô, Vân Đồn, Cát Hải and Bạch Long Vĩ.

Coastal areas from Quảng Ninh Province to Thái Bình Province experienced rainfall.

Storm Sarika formed over the sea on the eastern side of the Philippines on October 13 and quickly gained strength, making landfall on Luzon Island, with wind speed of 167-183km per hour.

The Philippines has incurred huge losses in the agricultural sector, amounting to almost three billion pesos (nearly US$61 million) due to typhoon Sarika, the country’s ministry of agriculture said yesterday.

Typoon Sarika also hit Hainan Province of China early yesterday, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds. Local authorities said over 13,700 locals were evacuated from low areas and unsafe houses. — VNS