Northern, central Vietnam urged to brace for tropical depression

The national weather agency reported that the tropical depression was located over the northeastern East Vietnam Sea at 7:00 am, about 600 kilometers east-northeast of Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) Special Zone, with maximum winds of 39-49 kph and gusts up to 74 kph.

The system is forecast to move west and west-northwest at about 10 kph over the next three days, heading toward China’s Hainan Island.

It is not currently expected to strengthen into a storm.

Due to the influence of the tropical depression, the northeastern East Vietnam Sea has experienced winds of 39-49 kph and waves measuring 3.5 meters high.

A low-pressure trough combined with the tropical depression is also producing southwest winds of 39-49 kph, with gusts of 50-74 kph, and waves 2-4 meters high over the central and southern parts of the maritime area, including Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) Special Zone, and waters off Gia Lai to Dong Thap.

Similar wind conditions are expected over southern waters of the northern East Vietnam Sea, including the Hoang Sa Special Zone.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms may affect the Gulf of Tonkin; various parts of the East Vietnam Sea, including both Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Special Zones; waters from Lam Dong to Ca Mau, Ca Mau to An Giang; and the Gulf of Thailand, with possible whirlwinds and strong winds of 50-74 kph.

Authorities warned that rough seas and thunderstorms will persist for several days, posing risks to vessels in affected areas.

Local authorities urged to monitor vessels

The National Civil Defense Steering Committee has asked coastal localities and relevant agencies to notify vessel owners and captains of the tropical depression so they can avoid or leave hazardous areas and refrain from entering them.

Local authorities were ordered to closely monitor vessels, particularly tourist boats operating in bays and coastal and island areas.

They must guide vessel owners and captains in taking preventive measures against thunderstorms, whirlwinds, and high waves, while preparing personnel and equipment for search-and-rescue operations if necessary.

The instructions came a day after Vietnam’s Prime Minister Le Minh Hung issued a separate directive urging ministries and northern, north-central provinces, cities to prepare for widespread heavy rain from Monday night through Friday.

The national weather agency warned that rainfall of 150-300 mm, with localized totals above 450 mm, could dampen the regions, raising risks of flash floods, landslides, and urban inundation.

Authorities were told to evacuate residents in vulnerable areas, secure construction sites, protect agricultural production, and ensure safety of dams, power, telecom, schools, and hospitals.

Defense and police units were tasked with supporting evacuations and rescue operations.

Since early this year, flash floods and landslides have left 52 people dead or missing, injured 80, destroyed 173 houses, and damaged more than 23,200 homes nationwide.