Forecasters said that by 7:00 am on October 19, the storm’s eye was located in the southeastern waters of the Gulf of Tonkin area, with the strongest winds near its centre reaching between 62km and 74km per hour.

Over the next 24 hours the storm is expected to track in a north-northwest direction at speeds of about 10 km per hour, with the weather event likely to get stronger.

By 7 a.m. on October 20 the storm's center will be located in the northern area of the Gulf of Tonkin with gusts reaching level 11.

However, the storm is then forecast to change its direction and move to the south-southwest over the following 24-hour period at speeds of between five km and 10km per hour before gradually weakening into a tropical depression and then a low-pressure zone.

Dr. Hoang Phuc Lam, deputy director of the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, revealed that Storm Sanba was moving along the coast but away from the mainland, thereby causing heavy rains mainly in the northern area of the Gulf of Tonkin.

The storm, combined with the effects of cold air, will be weakened rapidly and cause moderate and heavy downpours in the eastern area of the northern region on October 20.

Due to the impact of the storm, strong winds, rough seas, and waves of between three to five meters are expected in the Gulf of Tonkin area (including Co To, Bach Long Vi islands) and the waters of central province of Quang Tri.

Meteorologists said rains are also anticipated to hit coastal area of the northeastern part of the northern region from October 19 to October 21, with fishing vessels, aquaculture areas, and sea dykes in the area set to be affected by strong winds and high sea waves.

The National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention has requested that coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Binh Dinh closely monitor the storm’s developments and instruct vessels to seek safe shelters while ensuring the safety of reservoirs, dykes and infrastructure.

Localities are also advised to take drastic measures aimed at protecting agricultural and aquaculture production zones to mitigate the impact of the natural disaster.

Local authorities should be prepared to evacuate households in dangerous areas, especially those at high risk of landslides and flash floods, to safe places. 

Source: VOV