Early this morning, the tropical depression located in the northeastern the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago intensified into the fourth storm to hit the East Sea this year.

A map detailing the projected path of the storm No.4

Strong winds of level 6, with gusts up to level 7, were recorded at the Con Co Island, the central province of Quang Tri.

By 4:00 pm on September 19, the storm is expected to continue westward at a speed of 20-25km per hour, affecting coastal areas from Quang Tri to Quang Nam provinces. The maximum sustained winds near the storm’s centre will be at level 8 (62-74km per hour), with gusts reaching level 10.

By 4:00 am on September 20, the storm will move west-northwest at a speed of 15-20km per hour and it is expected to weaken into a low pressure area over central Laos, with maximum wind speeds dropping below level 6.

Due to the influence of the storm, the coastal area of Da Nang is experiencing showers, thunderstorms and strong winds of level 6-7, occasionally reaching level 7-8, with gusts of level 8-9 and wave heights of 2-4m, resulting in rough seas.

Meanwhile, inland areas are seeing increasing wind speeds of levels 6-7, and moderate to heavy downpours and thunderstorms on September 19. In particular, rainfall of 70-150mm is possible in Lien Chieu, Thanh Khe and Hai Chau districts; 80-180mm in Son Tra and Ngu Hanh Son districts; 70-150mm in Cam Le and Hoa Vang districts; and 80-150mm in Hoang Sa island district. From tonight to September 20, the rainfall will later drop gradually.

According to a quick report from the city’s Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue and Civil Defence, from 7:00 pm on September 18 to 7:00 am on September 19, the city had moderate to heavy and very heavy rain in some places, with rainfall ranging from 40-80mm.

The water levels of the two large reservoirs Hoa Trung and Dong Nghe, and other medium and small reservoirs are all low.

Currently, 1,157 fishing boats, with 8,297 crew members, anchored at the Tho Quang Fishing Wharf. Two fishing vessels with 19 fishermen in total are operating at sea and they have grasped the forecast track and development of storm No. 4.

Twenty-six tourist boats have returned to the anchorage area to avoid the storm on the Co Co River.

The city, localities and functional bodies are continuing to seriously implement the official dispatches and instructions of the Central Government, municipal Party Committee and municipal People's Committee.

The Da Nang Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue and Civil Defence has issued a warning of flash flood and landslide risk for areas along small rivers and streams. People and vehicles are strictly prohibited from travelling to areas along rivers, streams, dams and flooded areas for fishing.

Reporting by VAN HOANG - Translating by M.DUNG, T.TUNG