The tropical depression in the northern part of the East Sea has intensified into a tropical storm, and it has been given the international name Talim, according to the Mid-central Region Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

Talim becomes the first named tropical storm of 2023 in the East Sea.

The expected track of Talim (Source: The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting)

Regional weather forecasters are keeping an eye on storm Talim in the East Sea, and they are expecting it to grow stronger.

Forecast models indicate at 1:00pm on Saturday, July 15, the storm’s center was spotted near latitude 18°N and longitude 118°1'E, about 880km southeast of China's Leizhou Peninsula, packaging sustained winds reaching level 8, and the gusts as high as level 10.

Over the next 24 hours, the storm will move toward the northwest in the East Sea at 10-15kmph, and it has greater potential to become a stronger storm.

At 1:00pm on Sunday, July 16, the storm will be centred near latitude 19°5'N and longitude 115°6'E. It will have maximum sustained winds at levels 9 to 10 near the center and gusts of level 13.

Over the next 48 hours, Talim will continue to move west-northwest at 10-15 kmph. At 1:00pm on Monday, July 17, the storm’s center will be positioned near latitude 20°5'N and longitude 112°5'E, with the maximum sustained winds reaching levels 11 to 12, and gustiness of level 15.

Warning for strong winds, and big waves has been issued for all vessels operating in the danger area in the East Sea around storm Talim which is located at latitude 16°5'N - 21°5'N and longitude 114°5'E.

The Da Nang Steering Committee for Disaster Response and Search and Rescue is urging authorities at local level and relevant agencies to take proactive and necessary mitigative measures in response to the influence of storm Talim. All fishing vessels that are operating in the East Sea are asked to return to shore to find shelter in order to stay safe during severe weather.

The Da Nang Border Guard Command is asked to work with the Da Nang Coastal Information Station to keep a close watch on storm developmen in the East Sea in order to keep owners of vessels operating at sea timely informed about severe weather conditions to help them take the initiative to avoid dangerous areas or seek safe shelters during the bad weather.

Special attention must be given 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.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP – translating by H.L