HCMC – Tropical storm Saudel, the eighth storm to hit Vietnam this year, is forecast to move west-northwest at some 10 kilometers an hour and intensify in the next 24 hours, according to the national weather center.

By 7 a.m. today, October 21, the storm was centered some 680 kilometers east-southeast of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, with gusty winds at level 10. It could be located some 440 kilometers east of the Hoang Sa archipelago as of 7 a.m. tomorrow, packing gale force winds of 75-100 kilometers per hour, gusting at level 12. In the next 24-48 hours, Saudel is likely to move west-northwest at 5-10 kilometers and pick up strength. As of 7 a.m. on October 22, it is expected at some 320 kilometers east-northeast of the Hoang Sa archipelago, with powerful winds blowing at 90-115 kilometers per hour, gusting at level 13. In the next 48-72 hours, the system could move westward at around 10 kilometers per hour and continue to strengthen. It is predicted to make its presence felt in the north of the Hoang Sa archipelago by 7 a.m. on October 24, packing strong winds of 100-135 kilometers per hour, gusting at level 14.