A low-pressure area has strengthened into a tropical depression south of Huyen Tran Island, the Truong Sa archipelago, triggering medium to heavy rains in the southern region, reports the National Hydro Meteorological Forecasting Centre.

The tropical low pressure system was centred 290 kilometres east southeast off the coast from Binh Thuan to Ben Tre provinces at 10 a.m. this morning. The strongest winds near the centre of the system reached level seven moving at 50-60 kilometres per hour.

Over the next 24 hours, it is forecast to travel west north-westerly at 10 kilometres per hour towards the southern waters with a possibility of increasing in intensity.

The system is on track to pass through the coastal area of provinces from Binh Thuan to Ben Tre by 10 a.m. tomorrow.

Due to the tropical depression, Ho Chi Minh City and southern provinces have seen medium to heavy rains since late afternoon on December 11 with rains are expected to linger through December 13.

Rain totals could see 100-200mm and over 200mm in a few places. Scattered thunderstorms across the southern region are forecast that might bring about strong wind gusts.

In addition, a high tide has swelled Saigon and Mekong rivers threatening areas in lower reaches. Water level should reach their peak on December 14-15, surging to 1.6 metres at Phu An station on the Saigon river, currently 0.1 meter higher than alarm level three.

VOV