VietNamNet Bridge – The first major tropical storm of this year named ‘AERE' , today has strengthened on the eastern Philippine coastal area, causing rough seas and strong winds in north-eastern region of the East Sea, reports the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

Winds will be as strong as level 6 or 7 on the 12-level scale. At the heart of the storm, the wind can reach level 9 at a speed of 75-88 km per hour or even stronger.

The storm is forecast to move towards the north-eastern ward then to the north - north eastern ward at speed of 15-20 km per hour. At 1pm today, it is expected to be around the north of Philippine's Luzon Island and it is expected then to travel 90 kilometres further north to Taiwan.

The centre also forecasts that there are about 10 to 12 storms and low pressure belts appearing in the East Sea this year, half of which might affect Viet Nam directly.

Meanwhile, a heat wave caused hot and sunny weather conditions in central provinces from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien Hue yesterday and it would continue for the next few days, according to the centre.

The temperature hovered around 35-37 degree Celsius and even higher in some central provinces.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News