This morning, Typhoon Krathon entered the South China Sea and intensified to a Category 16 super typhoon with maximum winds of 201 km/h, but it has no impact on the mainland of Vietnam.
The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that at 7 AM, the eye of the storm was located in the northeastern waters of the North South China Sea, with gusts exceeding Category 17, moving northwest at a speed of 5 km/h.
The reason for the slow movement of the typhoon is due to a change in direction, veering toward the north. By 7 AM tomorrow, Krathon is still expected to maintain its super typhoon status before changing course to the north-northwest, targeting Taiwan, China. The storm is then projected to make landfall in Taiwan (China) with intensity of Category 13, gusting to Category 16, and gradually weakening.
The Vietnam Meteorological Center, along with meteorological stations in Japan, the US Navy, and Hong Kong, have all concluded that Typhoon Krathon will hit Taiwan on October 2, without affecting the coastal areas and mainland Vietnam.
Forecast of the path and affected areas by Typhoon Krathon. (Photo: NCHMF).
Due to the impact of the storm, the northeastern waters of the North South China Sea are experiencing strong winds of levels 10-13, with winds near the storm center at levels 14-16, gusting above level 17, and wave heights ranging from 9 to 11 meters. Vessels operating in these hazardous areas are subject to thunderstorms, whirlwinds, strong winds, and high waves.
In less than a month, there have been two super typhoons in the South China Sea out of a total of five storms this year. Previously, Typhoon Yagi intensified to a super typhoon while located east of Hainan Island (China), entering the Gulf of Tonkin at levels 14-15, and made landfall in Quang Ninh on September 7 with wind speeds of levels 12-14. This storm caused heavy rainfall across northern Vietnam, triggering flash floods and landslides, resulting in 344 deaths and missing persons, with economic losses exceeding 81 trillion VND.
The Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology, and Climate Change predicts that from mid-September to the end of this year, the number of storms and tropical depressions in the South China Sea affecting Vietnam will be approximately at or above the multi-year average, specifically 4-5 storms in the South China Sea and 2-3 storms impacting the mainland of Vietnam.
