The National Hydro Meteorological Forecasting Centre (NCHMF) has issued warnings for storm Usagi, this year’s 9^th typhoon, in place over Saturday night and Sunday morning in parts of south-central Viet Nam.

The expected path of typhoon Usagi reported at 9.00am on Friday (Photo: NCHMF)

The NCHMF weather warning covers localities from Khanh Hoa to Binh Thuan provinces.

The national weather forecasters warn of “injuries” and”danger to life” as gust of 50-60kph is expected inland.

At 4.00pm on Thursday, the typhoon’s centre was located at latitude 11°4’N and longitude 115°2’E, about 100km east of Song Tu Tay Island in Viet Nam's Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago, with maximum sustained wind speeds near its center reaching 60-75kph (level 9-10), gusting at level 10.

At 4.00pm on Saturday, the storm is predicted to move westward at a velocity of about 15km per hour, and it is likely to amass strength.

Its centre is expected to be positioned at latitude 11°2’N and longitude 109°2’E, in the sea waters off the coast of localities from Phu Yen to Ba Ria-Vung Tau, packing strong winds of 75-100 kph (level 9-10) near its eye and gusts of level 12.

Twenty four hours later, the typhoon is forecast to move westward at a velocity of about 10km per hour, entering the mainland of south-central and south-east localities and then weaken into a tropical depression at latitude 11°2’N and longitude 107°5’E.

The south-central Viet Nam is expected to feel the effects of Usagi most.

However, those outside the warning areas are likely to experience wet weather.

Heavy rain is forcasted over localities from Da Nang to Binh Thuan in the next few days. The NCHMF predicted that up to 300-500mm, even up to 600mm, could fall in some areas.

The heaviest rainfall will probably hit these areas on Sunday with 200 and 300mm. 

Between Saturday and next Monday, 26 November, Da Nang is likely to see moderate and heavy rain with the temperatures hovering at between 21 to 29 degrees Celsius, whilst the lowest humidity is reported as around 77%.

Municipal /provincial authorities are urged by the national government to take urgent measures to ensure safety of residents and tourists in warning areas.

National government agencies have been asked to stay in contact with fishing boats in their jurisdiction as a precaution and work to ensure safety of residents in storm-hit areas.

The national weather forecasters have predicted that more four to six typhoons and tropical depressions could develop off the country's east coast by the end of the year.

In particular, weather warnings for around 2 to 3 storms in place over the central region in the remaining months of the year have been issued.