According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as of 7 a.m. on June 4, the center of the tropical depression was located over the eastern waters of the northern East Sea, approximately 500km east-northeast of the Hoang Sa Islands. At Phu Quy Station, winds had reached force 5, occasionally force 6.

Maximum sustained winds near the center of the system were at force 6 (39-49kph), with gusts up to force 8. The depression was moving northeast at around 25kph.

Over the next 24 hours, the system is forecast to continue tracking northeast at roughly 20kph. By 7 a.m. on June 5, its center is expected to be located over the northeastern waters of the northern East Sea, maintaining force 6 winds with gusts up to force 8.

Meteorologists said the tropical depression is expected to move out of the East Sea within the next 24 to 48 hours and head toward Taiwan, making landfall in Vietnam highly unlikely.

Specifically, during the following 24 hours, the system is forecast to maintain both its direction and speed. By 7 a.m. on June 6, the center of the depression is expected to be located northeast of Taiwan (China), still at force 6 intensity with gusts up to force 8.

Between 48 and 72 hours from now, the tropical depression is expected to continue moving northeast at around 25kph before gradually weakening into a low-pressure area.

Due to the system's influence, eastern parts of the northern East Sea are experiencing force 6 winds with gusts up to force 8. Wave heights are forecast at 2-4 meters, with rough sea conditions.

The central East Sea, waters stretching from Khanh Hoa to Lam Dong, and northern areas of the southern East Sea, including waters north of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands, are also experiencing force 6 winds with gusts reaching force 7-8. Seas are rough, with wave heights of 2-4 meters.

During June 5, northeastern areas of the northern East Sea are expected to continue seeing force 6 winds with gusts up to force 8 and waves of 2-4 meters. Meanwhile, the central East Sea and waters from Khanh Hoa to Ho Chi Minh City are forecast to experience southwesterly winds at force 5, occasionally force 6, with gusts reaching force 7-8 and waves between 2 and 3 meters.

Vessels operating in these hazardous waters may be affected by thunderstorms, waterspouts, strong winds and high waves.

According to the national weather agency, the number of storms and tropical depressions expected in the East Sea during June is likely to be close to the long-term average. Historically, the basin records an average of 1.1 tropical systems during the month, including 0.3 that make landfall in Vietnam.

Bao Anh