Viet Nam’s National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting continues to monitor the newly-formed tropical depression which is getting stronger as it moves over the East Sea. They system is expected to intensify and it has the potential to strengthen into a tropical storm status, according to national forecasters.

At 1:00am on Wednesday, the depression’s centre was already located at latitude16°2'N and longitude 116°2'E, and about 500km east of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands. The radius of strong winds at level 6 and the gusts as high as level 8 was about 80km from the depression’s center.

Over the next 24 hours, the system will move slowly northwestward in the East Sea at 10-15kmph, and it will continue to gain strength.

 At 1:00am on Thursday, the depression’s centre will be positioned at latitude 17°2'N and longitude 115°4'E , about 420km east of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands. The maximum sustained winds reaching levels 6 to 7 (40-60kmph), and the gusts as high as level 9 will affect areas near the depression’s center.

National forecasters have issued a weather warning for strong winds and high waves to all vessels operating in the potentially dangerous area which is located at latitude 15°N - 19°N and longitude 113°5' E - 117.5' E in the next 24 hours.

Over the next 24 to 48 hours, the depression will continue moving northwestward at 5-10kmph, and it could grow stronger in the East Sea.

At 1:00am on Friday, July 1, the depression’s centre will be located at latitude 18°3'N and longitude 114°4'E , about 370km northeast of the Hoang Sa Islands. The area near the depression’s center will experience strong winds at level 7 (50-60kmph), and gustiness of up to level 9.

An advisory for strong winds, rough seas and high waves is issued in the next 24 to 48 hours to all vessels operating in the potentially dangerous area which is located at latitude 16°N - 20°5'N and longitude 112° E - 117°E.

Over the next 48 to 72 hours, the system will move northwestward in the East Sea at 10mph, and it will continue to gain strength and is likely to develop into a tropical storm.

The Eastern part of ​​the Northern East Sea will see strong winds at level 6 and the gusts as high as level 8 with rough seas and waves as high as 2m to 4m.

The offshore area stretching from Binh Thuan to Ca Mau and the Middle and South of the East Sea (including the waters of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands) will see gradually increasing the southwest wind at levels 5 to 6, and the gusts reaching levels 7 to 8, and experience rough seas with waves as high as 2-3m.

Reporting by baotintuc- Translating by H.L