Only a day after Typhoon Kajiki weakened, a new tropical depression has formed over the East Sea. According to Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF), this new system is expected to move toward the Paracel Islands over the next 24 to 48 hours, bringing high waves and rough seas across several maritime regions.

As of 10:00 a.m. on August 27, the low-pressure system in the eastern part of the northern East Sea had intensified into a tropical depression. The center of the depression was located at approximately 17.7°N latitude and 119.0°E longitude.

Maximum sustained winds near the center reached Level 6 (39–49 km/h or 24–30 mph), with gusts at Level 8. The system is currently moving west-southwest at a speed of 10–15 km/h.

Southwesterly winds at Huyen Tran station (Ho Chi Minh City) were recorded at Level 6, with gusts reaching Level 9. At Truong Sa station (Khanh Hoa Province), gusts reached Level 7.

Over the next 24 hours, the depression is expected to maintain its west-southwestward track at 15–20 km/h and possibly strengthen. By 10:00 a.m. on August 28, its center will be about 410 km east of the Paracel Islands, with winds at Level 6–7 and gusts at Level 9.

During the subsequent 24 hours, the system is forecasted to move westward at around 15 km/h. By 10:00 a.m. on August 29, the center will be over waters near the Paracel Islands, with sustained winds at Level 7 and gusts at Level 9.

From 48 to 72 hours onward, the tropical depression is expected to continue its westward movement at a speed of 10–15 km/h.

Meteorologists are also forecasting strong winds and rainfall over the next 24 hours. Coastal waters from Lam Dong to Ho Chi Minh City, along with the central and southern East Sea (including the Spratly Islands), will experience southwesterly winds at Level 6, with gusts at Level 7–8. Seas will be rough, with waves between 2 to 3.5 meters. The eastern part of the northern East Sea will see winds at Level 6–7, gusting to Level 9, and waves reaching 2 to 4 meters.

Additionally, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on August 27 across the Gulf of Tonkin, coastal waters from southern Quang Tri to Ca Mau, Ca Mau to An Giang, the Gulf of Thailand, and all areas of the East Sea including the Paracel and Spratly Islands.

Thunderstorms may bring waterspouts, strong gusts at Level 6–7, and waves exceeding 2 meters in height.

Further warnings have been issued for August 28. Maritime areas from Lam Dong to Ho Chi Minh City, the central East Sea, and the northern region of the southern East Sea (including northern Spratly Islands) will experience strong southwesterly winds at Level 6, with gusts at Level 7–8, and wave heights between 2 to 3.5 meters. The northern East Sea (including the Paracel Islands) is forecast to experience winds at Level 6–7, gusting up to Level 9, with waves reaching 2 to 4 meters and strong sea turbulence.

The meteorological agency has raised the maritime natural disaster risk level to Level 2 for most areas, and Level 3 specifically for the eastern region of the northern East Sea. All vessels operating in these regions are at high risk from waterspouts, strong winds, and large waves.

Bao Anh