Tropical low depression to strengthen into storm, threaten northern Vietnam

A tropical low depression has formed in the East Sea and is likely to strengthen into a storm that is forecast to threaten northern Vietnam when it heads towards the mainland.

The tropical depression was found swirling over the northern part of Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago at around 04.00am on June 12, packing winds of 60kph near its centre, according to the national weather forecasting authority.

In the next 12 hours the depression is anticipated to move west and north-west and strengthen into storm.

It is likely to gain force and make landfall on June 13, causing heavy rain and high tidal surges.

The storm is forecast to directly strike north-eastern and north-central regions before weakening into a tropical low depression.

Meteorologists said it will be raining in northern and north-central localities from June 12 to 14, with an average rainfall of 150mm. Several localities such as Phu Tho, Hoa Binh and provinces from Thanh Hoa to Nghe An are predicted to even record a high rainfall of 250-350mm.

They also warned about possible whirlwinds, lightning and landslides in mountainous localities.