At 7:00 p.m., the tropical depression was located about 170km south of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, with winds gusting approximately 60kph. It was moving westward at a speed of 10-15kph.

The tropical depression is forecast to retain its direction and speed in the next 24 – 36 hours before striking the central coast of Vietnam on September 26.

It will certainly bring heavy rain to the central region, with common rainfall of between 100-300mm or more, said national weather experts.

Rain will also lash the Central Highlands and some southern localities that are anticipated to receive between 100-150mm of rain.

The National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention issued a dispatch requesting relevant units of localities stretching from Quang Binh to Phu Yen to closely monitor developments of the tropical depression, direct fishing vessels to avoid danger areas, and reinforce fishing farms.

The committee also requested the designated localities to put rescue forces on standby if weather conditions get worse.

Source: VOV