As of 1:00 p.m. on August 29, the center of the tropical depression was located in the Hoang Sa (Paracel Islands) area, about 630 km east - southeast of northern Quang Tri and around 450 km east of Hue. Maximum sustained winds near the center reached level 7 (50 - 61 km/h), with gusts up to level 9. The system was moving northwest at 20 - 25 km/h.

Storm to make landfall between Quang Tri and Da Nang

Within the next 12 hours, the tropical depression is forecast to strengthen into a storm – the sixth storm to form over the East Sea this rainy season. By 1:00 a.m. on August 30, the storm’s center will be over the sea between Quang Tri and Da Nang, about 360 km east - southeast of northern Quang Tri, with wind intensity reaching level 8, gusting to level 10. The disaster risk level is at 3 for the northwestern sea area of the East Sea, from Quang Tri to Da Nang.

Over the following 12 hours, the storm is expected to maintain its direction, speed, and wind intensity. By 1:00 p.m. the same day, the storm's center will be in the waters between Nghe An and Hue. The disaster risk level remains at 3 for the area from Thanh Hoa to Hue, including Hon Ngu and Con Co islands.

In the subsequent 12 hours, the storm is forecast to move westward at 20 - 25 km/h and weaken over land in central Laos and Thailand. The disaster risk level will still be level 3 for the area from Thanh Hoa to Hue.

Strong winds and rough seas expected

Due to the storm’s impact, the western sea area of the northern East Sea (including the Hoang Sa Islands) will experience strong winds of level 6 - 7, with gusts at level 10 near the storm’s center. Wave heights could reach 2 - 5 meters, causing rough seas.

From the night of August 29, coastal waters from Thanh Hoa to Da Nang (including Hon Ngu and Con Co Islands) will face heavy thunderstorms and gradually intensifying winds reaching level 6 - 7, with gusts at level 10 near the storm center. Waves in these areas may rise to 3 - 5 meters.

Coastal areas from Nghe An to Hue are expected to see sea level rise by 0.2 - 0.4 meters. Dangerous weather conditions at sea and in coastal zones will make it unsafe for tourist boats, cargo ships, fishing cages, and aquaculture operations to function within affected regions.

Rainfall up to 600mm, disaster alerts issued

From noon on August 30, coastal areas from Nghe An to Quang Tri will see increasing wind intensity reaching level 6, with gusts at level 8. Inland areas from Ha Tinh to northern Quang Tri will be exposed to even stronger winds of level 6 - 7, gusting to level 10 near the storm center.

Between August 29 and August 31, regions from Thanh Hoa to Hue will receive heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, with widespread totals ranging from 200 - 350 mm and localized amounts exceeding 600 mm.

From August 30 through August 31, the midlands and lowlands of the northern region, as well as Da Nang, are forecast to receive moderate to heavy rainfall, with general rainfall amounts from 100 - 200 mm and local extremes surpassing 400 mm.

On the afternoon of August 29, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment issued an urgent directive instructing relevant ministries, agencies, and People's Committees from northern provinces and coastal localities spanning from Quang Ninh to Khanh Hoa to proactively implement disaster preparedness measures.

The directive emphasizes the risks of flooding, flash floods, and landslides in the coming days due to the tropical depression potentially evolving into Storm No.6.

Bao Anh