Super Typhoon Yagi has now reached wind speeds of level 15 and is expected to strengthen to level 16 by this morning, as it approaches the Gulf of Tonkin.

Despite weakening slightly as it passes over Hainan Island, the storm is forecast to retain significant strength, remaining at levels 13-14, with potentially dangerous impacts.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as of 7 a.m. today (September 5), Typhoon Yagi was located in the northern part of the East Sea, approximately 520 km east of Hainan Island, China.

The strongest winds near the storm’s center have reached level 15 (167-183 km/h), with gusts exceeding level 17. Over the past two days, the storm has intensified by seven levels since entering the East Sea, moving slowly westward at around 10 km/h.

Experts predict that Yagi will reach its peak intensity as a super typhoon (level 16, with gusts over level 17) this morning in the northern part of the East Sea, surpassing earlier predictions. This is expected to be the storm’s most intense phase.

By 7 a.m. tomorrow (September 6), the storm is forecast to be about 190 km east of Hainan Island and 590 km southeast of Quang Ninh. It will still be at level 16, with gusts over level 17, moving northwestward at 10-15 km/h.

After passing over Hainan, the storm will weaken due to the terrain, but as it enters the Gulf of Tonkin, it is expected to retain significant strength, with wind speeds of levels 13-14 and gusts reaching level 17, due to warm sea conditions.

Forecasts indicate that the storm will enter the Gulf of Tonkin by tomorrow night, beginning to impact the coastal provinces of Northern and North Central Vietnam.

By 7 a.m. on September 7, the storm's center will be located in the northern Gulf of Tonkin, about 190 km southeast of Quang Ninh. The storm will continue moving at 15-20 km/h and gradually weaken.

According to Hoang Phuc Lam, Deputy Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the most likely scenario is that the storm's center will make landfall between Quang Ninh and Hai Phong. However, due to the storm’s expansive cloud system, which spans over a thousand kilometers, its direct impact (winds over level 6 and heavy rainfall) will cover the entire northern and north-central regions, focusing on Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Binh.

Lam also noted that once Typhoon Yagi reaches Vietnam’s mainland, it will speed up, causing a rapid but short-lived impact. On September 6, winds in the Gulf of Tonkin (including Bach Long Vi and Co To districts) are expected to intensify, reaching levels 6-7, with gusts at level 9. These winds will quickly escalate to levels 10-13 as the storm moves further into the Gulf of Tonkin.

From the morning of September 7, northern Vietnam will begin to experience storm-force winds, with the most dangerous period expected from the afternoon and evening of September 7 through the morning of September 8.

Typhoon Yagi is forecast to bring widespread heavy rainfall to Northern and North Central Vietnam. Intense rain is expected to trigger flooding in coastal provinces from Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh. Flash floods and landslides are significant risks, especially in mountainous and midland areas.

From the night of September 6 to the morning of September 9, heavy rain is expected across Northern and North Central Vietnam, with rainfall totals ranging from 100-300 mm, and some areas exceeding 500 mm.

Due to the storm, the northern part of the East Sea will experience winds of levels 11-13, with gusts at levels 14-16 near the storm’s center, and waves reaching 7-9 meters high. Areas near the storm’s center could see waves as high as 10-12 meters, causing extremely dangerous conditions. By the night of September 6, winds in the Gulf of Tonkin (including Bach Long Vi and Co To districts) will increase to levels 10-12, with gusts at levels 13-14, and waves rising from 2-4 meters to 6-8 meters near the storm’s center.

From the early hours of September 7, coastal areas from Quang Ninh to Thanh Hoa will experience increasing winds, starting at levels 6-7 and rising to levels 8-9, with areas near the storm’s center seeing winds of levels 10-12 and gusts at level 14. Inland areas in northeastern Vietnam will see winds at levels 6-8, with gusts at levels 9-11.

Coastal areas must prepare for storm surges, with potential rises of 1.5-1.8 meters in Quang Ninh, 1.2-1.5 meters in Hai Phong and Thai Binh, 0.8-1.2 meters in Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh, and 0.5-1.0 meters in Thanh Hoa.

Boats, aquaculture areas, and coastal defenses in the affected regions are at high risk of being impacted by strong winds, large waves, and storm surges.

Bao Anh