An area of low pressure is likely to strengthen into a tropical depression, accompanied by strong gusts of levels 6 – 8 tomorrow, 31 July, with the disaster risk level 3, putting all fishing boats operating north of the East Sea at high risk, the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has warned.

The expected path of the tropical depression (Source: The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting)

Over the next 24 hours, the low is forecast to move in a west- northwest direction at a velocity of 15 – 20 km an hour, and increase its strength.

Forecasters said, at 1:00am tomorrow, 31 July, the tropical depression’s position will be identified at latitude 16°1'N - 17°1'N and longitude 114°2'E - 115°2'E, about 240 km east of the Hoang Sa (Paracels) Island.

At 7:00am on 1 August, the tropical depression is predicted to be located at latitude 17°3'N and longitude 110°3'E, about 170 km west-northwest of the Hoang Sa Island. 

The strongest wind speed near its centre is forecasted to be 40-60kph at levels 6-7, with a gust of level 9.

Due to the strong influence of the possible tropical depression, the northern part of the East Sea will be likely to embrace for strong winds levels 5-6, a gust of level 8, sea waves from 2.5 to 3.5 m high, and rough seas.

The same wind levels, rough sea, and sea waves to a height of up to 4m will occur in the southern part of the East Sea, including the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands).

In order to proactively respond to tropical depression and possible large-scale heavy rain, Viet Nam's National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control is urging the authorities of coastal localities from Quang Ninh to Binh Thuan to inform their fishing boats of the predicted movement of the tropical depression, hereby allow them to take the initiative to avoid dangerous areas or seek safe shelters.

From now until 3 August, regional weather forecasters say most parts of Da Nang will wake up to a cloudy and sunny starting with its thermometers dipping between 25 to 33 degrees Celsius in the daytime, but a few showers and thunderstorms are possible in the night time. 

The average humidity is reported as around 59% in Da Nang

By Bao Tin Tuc/NLD - Translated by A.T