Viet Nam’s National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting said that Tropical Depression 10 (known in the Philippines as Florita) had formed and it had tracked westward in the Philippine Sea as of early Monday, August 22. The tropical cyclone is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm in the next 24 hours as it turns to track northwestward, the national weather service has warned.

Boats anchoring in close proximity in a storm shelter. (Photo: TTXVN)

The national forecasters said that the system is forecast to continue strengthening, making a close approach to the northern Cagayan Valley Region, Philippines on Tuesday afternoon, August 23 before entering the Northeast of the East Sea on Tuesday night or early Wednesday, August 24. The potential storm will become storm No.3 that enters the East Sea so far this year.

The system is likely to continue strengthening as it tracks northwestward across the East Sea, making landfall as a tropical storm over central Guangdong Province, China, on Thursday afternoon, August 25. After landfall, the storm is likely to weaken rapidly and dissipate over northern Guangxi Province on early Saturday, August 27.  Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and significant changes could occur in the coming days.  

National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control is urging authorities in coastal parts from Quang Ninh to Quang Ngai, including Da Nang, to take proactive and necessary mitigation measures in response to the potential storm No.3.

The authorities in the warning areas must keep a close watch on severe weather development, and keep owners of vessels operating at sea timely informed about severe weather conditions in order to help them take the initiative to avoid dangerous areas or seek safe shelters during the bad weather. The focus must be on making the resources available in order to organize timely rescue of any person in distress at sea and provide timely support for those who need it during severe weather.

In addition, the heed must be paid on assisting local residents to prepare for severe weather in an attempt to keep them safe and protect their properties.

Reporting by TTXVN/Vietnam+- translating by H.L