Tropical depression likely to form east of Philippines, may enter East Vietnam Sea

The system, located approximately 700 kilometers east of the central Philippines, may move west-northwest over the next 24 hours .

The weather agency estimated a 70-percent chance that it will enter the East Vietnam Sea by Wednesday, potentially influencing regional weather patterns.

From Sunday night to Tuesday, northern Vietnam will possibly experience widespread moderate to heavy rain, with totals ranging from 70 to 150 mm and localized areas exceeding 300 mm.

Northern mountainous provinces including Thai Nguyen, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, and Phu Tho are most at risk.

Between Wednesday and Sunday next week, northern Vietnam will continue to see thunderstorms at night and in the morning, with rainfall of 50-100 mm and some areas surpassing 250 mm.

The agency warned that Lang Son, Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, and Phu Tho face an elevated risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas over the coming days.

In central Vietnam, hot weather will persist on Monday and Tuesday from Nghe An to Da Nang, as well as in the eastern parts of Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, and Dak Lak Provinces, where daytime temperatures are expected to reach 36-38 degrees Celsius.

The heatwave in the central region is forecast to ease between Wednesday and Sunday next week.

In the Central Highlands and southern parts of Vietnam, stronger southwest monsoon winds are expected to bring showers, moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms through next Sunday.