A strengthening super typhoon, also known as Yutu, on Tuesday afternoon entered the East Sea, making it the seventh storm in the area this year, National Hydro Meteorological Forecasting Centre (NCHMF) reported.

The expected path of typhoon Yutu (Photo Courtesy of NCHMF)

At 4.00 am this morning, the eye of the storm was spotted at latitude 17°2’N and longitude 118°6’E, some 650km east of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago, packing strong winds of 100-115 kph (level 11) near its eye, and gusts of level 13.

By 4.00 am on 1 November, on Thursday, the typhoon will locate 510km east-north-east of the Hoang Sa islands with fury remaining unchanged.

Within the next 24-48 hours, on Friday, Yutu is forecast to move west-northwest at a velocity of about 10 - 15 km per hour.

At 4.00am on 2 November, the tropical storm’s centre is expected to be positioned at latitude 20°9’N and longitude 116°7’E, about 620km to the northeast of the Hoang Sa islands.

At 4.00am on 3 November, on Saturday, Yutu is predicted to be located at latitude 22°1’N and longitude 117°2’E, about 330km to the southwest of Taiwan, with maximum wind speeds reaching 60 - 75 kph (level 8), gusting at level 10.

According to domestic forecasters, Yutu and its circulation will have mild effects on the weather in Viet Nam.

Heavy rain is likely to batter some parts of central and southern regions, including Da Nang, during this weekend.

Due to the impact of the typhoon, the northern part of the East Sea has been rough and choppy, with the disaster risk level 3. 

Authorities in coastal localities from northern Quang Ninh to south-central Khanh Hoa provinces, including Da Nang, have been asked to closely monitor the development of the storm and remain in contact with local fishermen to deal with emerging issues.

In the next 3 days, Da Nang is likely to see sunny and cloudy weather in the daytime with the temperatures hovering at between 23 to 32 degrees Celsius, whilst the lowest humidity is reported as around 50%.