A tropical depression in the East Sea strengthened into a new storm on November 2, becoming the twelfth typhoon to enter the East Sea so far this year, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

Location and projected direction of Typhoon Damrey in the East Sea.

At 7am this morning, Storm Damrey’s location was approximately 12.5 degrees north latitude, 117.5 degrees east latitude, 380 km east-northeast of Song Tu Tay Island, with the strongest winds in the area near the storm’s centre blowing at 60-75kph.

It is forecast that, in the next 24 hours, the storm will move slowly west ward at a speed of 20kph and will likely increase in strength.

By 7am on November 3, the storm will be located at approximately 12.3 degrees north, 113.2 degrees east, approximately 420 km east of the coast of Binh Dinh – Ninh Thuan provinces. The strongest winds in its eye will be blowing at 75-100kph.

Due to the typhoon's influence, the mid area of the East Sea, including the northern corner of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands, is currently witnessing rough seas, thunderstorms and strong winds of level 6-7, with the strongest winds in the area near the storm’s centre at level 9-10.

Nhan Dan