This morning (September 19), a tropical depression in the northeastern area of the Paracel Islands intensified into a storm. This is the fourth storm to occur in the South China Sea in 2024.
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting at 4 AM on September 19, the center of storm number 4 was located 210 km northeast of Da Nang and about 260 km east of Quang Tri. The strongest winds near the center of the storm reached level 8 (62-74 km/h), with gusts up to level 10.
As a result of the storm, Con Co Island (Quang Tri) experienced strong winds of level 6, with gusts reaching level 7.
Currently, the storm is moving mainly westward at a speed of about 20 km/h.
It is forecasted that in the morning and afternoon today (next 12 hours), storm number 4 will continue westward toward the coastal provinces of Central Vietnam.
Forecasted position and movement of storm number 4 at 4 AM on September 19 – (Photo: NCHMF).
By 4 PM today, the center of storm number 4 is expected to be over the coastal waters from Quang Tri to Quang Nam, with a storm intensity of level 8 and gusts of level 10.
From this afternoon to evening, the storm will make landfall in the provinces of Central Vietnam and gradually weaken into a tropical depression and then a low-pressure area.
Due to the impact of storm number 4, the western sea area of the North China Sea (including the Paracel Islands), and the sea area from Nghe An to Quang Ngai (including Ly Son Island, Cu Lao Cham, Con Co, and Hon Ngu) will experience strong winds of level 6-7 (39-61 km/h), with waves reaching 2-4 meters high. Areas near the storm center may see winds of level 8 (62-74 km/h), gusting to level 10 (89-102 km/h), with waves reaching 3-5 meters high, leading to rough seas.
Additionally, due to the strong southwestern monsoon, the sea area from Binh Dinh to Ca Mau; the southern part of the central South China Sea, and the Spratly Islands will experience strong southwesterly winds of level 6, occasionally level 7, with gusts of level 8-9, and waves from 3-5 meters high. The sea will be very rough.
Coastal provinces from Quang Binh to Quang Nam need to be cautious of rising water from the storm, which could be 0.3-0.5 meters high, combined with high tides and large waves causing erosion of dikes, sea walls, and flooding in low-lying areas.
Fishing boats operating in the mentioned dangerous areas are at risk of being affected by thunderstorms, tornadoes, strong winds, and large waves.
On land, starting from the morning of September 19, coastal areas from Ha Tinh to Quang Nam will experience increasing winds of levels 6-7, with gusts near the storm center reaching level 8 (62-74 km/h) and gusts up to level 10 (89-102 km/h); further inland, gusts of level 6-7 are expected.
Be cautious of strong thunderstorm cells appearing in the front of storm number 4’s circulation. In conditions of heavy thunderstorms, the consequences may include falling trees and roofs, as well as advertising signs being blown away.
From today until September 20, heavy to very heavy rain is expected in the North Central and Central Coastal regions, with rainfall generally ranging from 100-300 mm, and locally over 500 mm.
Heavy rainfall is anticipated (>150 mm/6 hours) in the area from Quang Tri to Da Nang on September 19.
On September 19, the Central Highlands and Southern regions will experience moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms, with localized areas receiving very heavy rain, typically ranging from 20-40 mm, and some areas over 70 mm.
The heavy rainfall may lead to flooding in urban areas and densely populated regions due to inadequate drainage.
