Storm may form in East Vietnam Sea, head for Gulf of Tonkin

As of 1:00 pm on Thursday, the system was positioned over the waters east of the Philippines.

Over the next 24-36 hours, it is forecast to move west-northwest at 15-20 kilometers per hour, likely entering the East Vietnam Sea and intensifying into a tropical depression.

Once formed, the depression has a 60- to 70-percent chance of strengthening into a storm and quickly tracking toward the Gulf of Tonkin, according to Vietnam's National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

The system is expected to generate rough seas and strong winds across the northern and central parts of the East Vietnam Sea, including Vietnam's Hoang Sa (Paracel) Special Zone, and the Gulf of Tonkin.

Authorities have advised vessels operating in these areas to take precautions and prioritize safety.

Beginning Monday next week, northern Vietnam and several central provinces and cities, from Thanh Hoa to Hue, may experience widespread moderate to heavy rainfall.

The national weather agency warned that conditions could evolve unpredictably and urged residents and local officials to follow official forecasts closely.