Tropical depression to enter Gulf of Tonkin as heavy rain hits northern Vietnam

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said the depression was about 60 kilometers east of China's Hainan Island as of 1 am Thursday, packing winds of 39-49 km/h and gusts reaching level eight.

It is expected to move slowly westward at 5-10 km/h on Thursday, strengthening to level six-seven winds, or 39-61 km/h, with gusts up to level nine by early Friday.

The system will slow to 3-5 km/h before entering the Gulf of Tonkin from Thursday evening to Friday night. It is forecast to remain over the gulf on Saturday before moving northwestward.

The depression is expected to bring level six-seven winds and waves up to 4 meters to waters in the northwest of the northern East Vietnam Sea, creating rough seas. Ships in the affected areas face risks from thunderstorms, strong winds and high waves.

Meanwhile, an active tropical convergence zone and upper-level wind convergence have brought moderate to heavy rain from the c to northern Quang Tri Province.

Some areas recorded more than 150 mm of rain from Wednesday night to Thursday morning, including 150 mm in Khe La, Nghe An Province, and 156 mm in Cho Trang, Ha Tinh Province.

From Thursday through Friday, Thanh Hoa to northern Quang Tri is forecast to receive 40-90 mm of rain, with isolated areas exceeding 180 mm.

Northern Vietnam will see scattered showers and thunderstorms, while southern Quang Tri, Hue, the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam could receive 20-40 mm, with isolated areas exceeding 80 mm.

Coastal northern Vietnam is forecast to receive 30-60 mm on Friday, with isolated areas exceeding 120 mm. Northeastern Vietnam and Thanh Hoa could see moderate to heavy rain on Saturday as the depression moves into the region.

The heavy rain could cause flooding in low-lying and urban areas, flash floods in small rivers and streams, and landslides in mountainous areas.