Forecast of direction of Higos. Photo: National Centre of Hydrometeorology and Forecasting

According to the National Centre of Hydrometeorology and Forecasting, the eye of the storm is approximately 630km northeast of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, with the strongest winds close to its centre reaching between 60km and 75km per hour. 

Over the course of 24 hours, storm Higos is anticipated to track north-west at speeds of roughly 20km per hour before strengthening.

Following this, the storm’s centre at 7 a.m. on August 19 will be located in the southern waters of Guangdong province, with winds reaching between 75km and 90km per hour close to its eye.

The subsequent 48 hours will see the storm move west north-west at speeds of between 15km and 20km per hour, with the storm’s centre being positioned on the southern mainland of Guangxi province on August 20, before the weather event eventually weakens into a tropical depression.

Despite storm Higos not making landfall in the nation, it is expected that the storm’s circulation will bring heavy rains to northern provinces from August 20 to August 23.

It is forecast that the north and north-central regions are likely to experience heavy rain from Monday until Sunday. 

Warnings of flash floods, landslides and flooding have been issued in many mountainous and midland provinces, including Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Thai Nguyen, Bac Kan and Quang Ninh.   

The National Steering Committee of Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has requested the sub-committees of north and north-central regions and relevant ministries and agencies be proactive in response to the tropical depression. 

Huong Quynh

Tropical depression likely to develop into storm

A tropical depression currently located in the East Sea is likely to strengthen into a storm, therefore triggering torrential rain, possible landslides, and flashfloods throughout northern mountainous provinces.