HÀ NỘI — A tropical depression near the South China Sea (called East Sea in Việt Nam) is forecast to turn into a storm and enter the East Sea region on Wednesday and Thursday.

The tropical depression is currently near the eastern central coast of the Philippines. Its eye is located about 800km east and southeast Luzon Island (Philippines) with wind speeds hitting 39km per hour, ranking at level six out of 12.

In the next 24 hours, the depression is predicted to move quickly in the west-northwest direction at a speed of 25-30km per hour and is likely to turn into a storm.

By the evening, the tropical depression’s eye is forecasted to be on the east coast of Luzon Island with the wind speed at level seven (50km to 61km per hour) according to National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting. 

By Thursday evening, the eye is likely to be about 530km east of the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) archipelago with the wind speed at level seven.

Shortly after, the tropical depression will move at a reduced speed of 20km per hour and is likely to develop into a storm. 

The storm’s eye is forecasted to sit in the sea of the Hoàng Sa archipelago with the wind speeds at level eight (62 to 74km per hour).

The National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting warned that due to the impact of the tropical depression, localities from the northern region to the central province of Thanh Hóa, especially highland areas, will have showers and thunderstorms. Heavy rains will occur in the northeast and northern mountainous regions from August 28 to 30.

In addition, the southwest monsoon continues to operate strongly, so the southern seas are experiencing wind speeds at levels six to seven.

The Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands) and the southern regions will likely receive heavy rain and lightning storms in the coming days.

The Central Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control has urgently requested localities to closely monitor weather changes during the National Day holidays (September 2-3) to take proactive steps to keep people safe.

Measures should focus on ensuring safety for people and property in high-risk areas, especially for boats, resorts, amusement parks and entertainment areas on the coast and islands.

With the lessons learned from the strong southwest monsoon on August 3, authorities need to review protection plans for sea dikes and coastal residential areas — VNS