National weather forecasters are tracking a new tropical depression intensified from the low pressure area (LPA) in the Northern part of the East Sea.

The tropical depression made its way to the East Sea on Friday afternoon, and and it is expected to strengthen into a storm, according to Viet Nam’s National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

Forecast models indicate at 4:00pm on Friday, the centre of the depression was spotted at latitude 18°2'N and longitude 119°8'E, sat over the Northern part of the East Sea, with the maximum sustained winds reaching levels 6 to 7, and the gusts as high as level 9.

Over the next 24 hours, the depression will move toward the west-northwest in the East Sea at 10-15 km per hour, and it will continue to gain strength, and is likely to intensify into a storm.

NCHMF has issued a weather warning at Alert Level 3 for the eastern part of North East Sea.

A warning for strong winds, rough seas and high waves is issued in the next 24 hours to all vessels operating in the potentially dangerous area which is located at latitude 17°5'N  - 21°5'N and longitude 116°5'E.

The National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has put the administrations of coastal areas from Quang Ninh to Phu Yen, including Da Nang, on alert in view of the NCHMF 's forecast of a possible storm.

Authorities have been asked to remain alert and closely monitor the situation.

Focus must be on keeping a close watch on severe weather development, and keeping 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. Importance must be attached to 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.

High priority must be given to taking resilience measures to help save lives and reduce the damage to individual houses, public infrastructure and crops. In addition, all necessary steps are needed to move people living in low-lying areas, along rivers and streams and areas at high risk of flash floods and landslides to safe places. Special attention must be given to making the resources available in order to drain rainwater from agricultural fields, low-lying areas, urban areas, most densely populated areas, industrial zones and other areas most at-risk of flooding in an effort to reduce costly damage to crops and property.

Reporting by BAO TIN TUC – Translating by H.L