HCMC – A tropical depression in the East Sea is forecast to intensify into a storm today, October 18, with packing winds at level 8 and gusts at level 10, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting report.

In response to this development, the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention and Control called a meeting to discuss ways to cope with the tropical depression and potential flooding in central Vietnam. As of 7 a.m. today, the center of the tropical depression was located about 240 kilometers west-northwest of the Paracel Islands, which is 170 kilometers off the central coast from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai provinces. The tropical depression is expected to pack winds at level 7, with gusts at level 9. According to the meteorologists, while the tropical depression has moved further offshore compared to yesterday, it is projected to intensify into a storm within the next 24 to 48 hours. “Due to the impact of the storm, in the Gulf of Tonkin, there will be packing winds at level 6 or 7 tomorrow. Winds will be upgraded to level 8, gusts at level 10 and waves of two or four meters in height in areas near the eye of the storm,” Lam added. In response to the severe flooding experienced by central provinces over the past few days, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that rain would cease today in Danang City and the provinces of Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and Thua-Thien Hue. The rain system will then move to Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Quang Binh provinces while continuing its northward trajectory. As of 6 a.m. today, around 53,329 boats and 226,037 fishermen have been informed of the tropical depression's trajectory, enabling them to take necessary preventive measures. Among these, 200 boats are currently in dangerous areas.