The predicted trajectory of a tropical depression in Vietnam’s East Sea. Photo by Vietnam Disasters Monitoring System
A tropical depression is forecast to approach the Spratly Islands and impact Vietnam’s coastline from Phu Yen to Ca Mau provinces with heavy rains by Wednesday.
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as of 7 a.m. Sunday, the tropical depression was located over the southern part of the East Sea, with maximum sustained winds of 49 km per hour and gusts reaching 62 kph. It was moving northeast at a speed of 10 kph.
By 1 p.m. Sunday, the depression is expected to shift northwest, picking up speed as it heads toward Vietnam’s Spratly Islands. By 7 a.m. Monday, it is forecast to intensify slightly, with winds reaching 62-74 kph and gusts up to 88 kph, and will be positioned south of the Spratly Islands.
The system will then continue moving toward the coastline of central and southern provinces, spanning Phu Yen to Ca Mau.
Under the combined influence of the tropical depression and a cold air mass from the north, heavy rainfall is expected across the central and south-central regions, including Ho Chi Minh City, from the night of Dec. 23 through Dec. 26.
Toral rainfall is forecast to range between 100-300 mm, with some areas experiencing over 500 mm. On Dec. 24-25, rainfall will extend to the eastern and western parts of the Central Highlands, with precipitation ranging from 50-100 mm and certain areas receiving more than 200 mm.
Since the beginning of the year, the East Sea has seen nine storms and one tropical depression. Among them, storms Prapiroon, Yagi, Soulik, Trami, and Yinxing directly affected Vietnam’s mainland. The strongest, Typhoon Yagi, made landfall in the north, impacting 25 cities and provinces including Hanoi and many tourism, industrial hubs.
Subsequent storms, floods, and landslides this year have left 513 people dead and missing, with total economic losses estimated at VND84.9 trillion (US$3.33 billion).
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