Storm Koto turns southwest, slows toward waters off central Vietnam

As of 4:00 am on Monday, the center of Koto was located over the northwestern part of the central sea region, with sustained winds of about 74 kph and gusts of up to 102 kph, down one level from the previous day.

The system, the 15th storm in the East Vietnam Sea this year, was moving very slowly.

Over the next 24 hours, Koto is forecast to continue drifting southwest at around five kph and weaken into a tropical depression.

By 4:00 am on Tuesday, the center of the tropical depression is predicted to remain over the northwestern part of the central East Vietnam Sea, about 170 kilometers east of the Gia Lai–Dak Lak coast, with maximum sustained winds of around 49 kph and gusts of up to 74 kph.

The system is then expected to continue moving slowly southwest at roughly the same speed and further weaken into a low-pressure area over the waters off Gia Lai and Khanh Hoa.

Under the storm’s influence, the northwestern part of the central East Vietnam Sea has experienced winds of up to 74 kph and squalls reaching 102 kph since Monday morning, along with rough seas and waves of two to six meters.

During the day, scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast for the western part of the central East Vietnam Sea, the southern section of the northern East Vietnam Sea, including Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) Special Zone, and the coastal waters from Gia Lai to Khanh Hoa.

The northwestern area of the central East Vietnam Sea may also see heavy rain, whirlwinds, and strong gusts.

On Tuesday, winds of around 61 kph with gusts up to 88 kph are expected in the northwestern part of the central East Vietnam Sea, with waves of three to five meters and very rough seas, before gradually weakening at night.

The waters from Gia Lai to Khanh Hoa may experience winds of about 49 kph, with squalls reaching 74 kph, and waves of two to four meters under rough conditions.

All vessels operating in the affected areas face a high risk from strong winds and large waves.

Along the coastline from Da Nang to Khanh Hoa, authorities have warned that high tides combined with large waves could hit sea dikes, flood coastal roads, and accelerate shoreline erosion.