Storm Fengshen nears Vietnam’s Hoang Sa, may change direction under cold air pressure

Fengshen was moving westward, but forecasters warn that it may change direction repeatedly as it encounters a cold air mass pushing down from the north.

By Wednesday, Fengshen is expected to shift west-southwest at 10-15 kph, located about 220km east-northeast of Da Nang City in central Vietnam, while weakening slightly to 75-88 kph, gusting to 103-117 kph.

On Thursday, the storm will possibly move southwest and slow to around 10 kph, making landfall between Da Nang City and Quang Ngai Province, before weakening into a tropical depression, then a low-pressure zone.

The national weather agency added that dangerous conditions may persist over the northern East Vietnam Sea on Tuesday, including the Hoang Sa Special Zone, with winds of 50-102 kph, gusting to 118-133 kph, and waves measuring three to seven meters high, causing very rough seas.

From the southern part of Quang Tri Province to Quang Ngai, including the Ly Son Special Zone, winds are expected to reach 39-74 kph, gusting to 89-102 kph, with waves of three to five meters.

Authorities have warned all vessels in hazardous zones to stay alert to thunderstorms, squalls, strong winds, and high waves.

Central Vietnam braces for heavy rainfall

From Wednesday night through October 27, the storm’s circulation combined with cold air and easterly winds will bring widespread heavy rain from Ha Tinh to Quang Ngai.

With cumulative rainfall ranging from 200mm to over 900mm for the entire event, this raises risks of flash floods, landslides in mountainous areas, and widespread flooding in low-lying regions.

Localities are urged to ensure dam and reservoir safety, maintain hydropower and irrigation systems, and prepare for river levels possibly exceeding alarm level 3.