The rapid movement of the tropical depression currently existing over the South China Sea will soon impact the mainland. However, as it approaches the waters of the provinces from Quang Ngai to Quang Binh, the storm will slow down, following the coastline before making landfall, leading to an extended duration of impact and a wide affected area.
As of 4 AM today (September 18), the center of the tropical depression is approximately 250 km east of the Paracel Islands. The strongest winds near the center of the tropical depression are at level 7 (50-61 km/h), with gusts up to level 9. In recent hours, the tropical depression has been moving quickly westward at a speed of about 25 km/h.
Track of Storm No. 4.
Forecast for today and tonight (September 18), the tropical depression will primarily move west-southwest at a fast speed of about 20 km/h and will strengthen into Storm No. 4.
By 4 AM tomorrow (September 19), the storm center will be about 340 km southeast of the coastline of the provinces from Quang Binh to Da Nang, with the strongest winds near the storm center at level 8 and gusts up to level 10.
On the day and night of September 19, as it approaches the waters of Da Nang and Quang Ngai, the storm will change direction to west-northwest, slowing down to about 15 km/h, moving along the coastal waters of Quang Ngai, Da Nang, Hue, Quang Tri, Quang Binh, and Ha Tinh with a strength of level 8 and gusts of level 10. By 4 AM on September 20, the storm center will be over the coastal area of the provinces from Quang Binh to Da Nang.
Forecasts indicate that the path and impact area of the tropical depression may strengthen into Storm No. 4.
On the day and night of September 20, the storm will continue to move west-northwest at a speed of 10-15 km/h, making landfall in the northern central provinces before weakening into an area of low pressure over central Laos.
The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting cautions that Storm No. 4 is unlikely to become a strong storm but is very complex and unpredictable in terms of its path, thus continuous updates of the latest forecast reports are necessary.
Due to the influence of the tropical depression, which could strengthen into a storm, the northern South China Sea (including the Paracel Islands) and the waters from Nghe An to Quang Ngai (including Ly Son Island, Cu Lao Cham, Con Co, and Hon Ngu) will experience strong winds of levels 6-7, with areas near the storm center experiencing level 8 winds (62-74 km/h), gusts at level 10 (89-102 km/h), and wave heights of 2-4 meters, with waves near the storm center reaching 3-5 meters, causing strong sea disturbances.
From early morning and throughout the day on September 19, the coastal mainland from Ha Tinh to Quang Ngai will see increasing winds of levels 6-7, with areas near the storm center experiencing level 8 winds (62-74 km/h), gusts of level 10 (89-102 km/h), and inland areas experiencing gusts of levels 6-7.
Due to the influence of the pre-storm cloud area, followed by the storm circulation, from September 18 to September 20, the northern and central provinces will experience heavy to very heavy rain with common rainfall amounts ranging from 100-300 mm, locally exceeding 500 mm.
Additionally, from September 18 to September 19, the Central Highlands and Southern regions will see moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms, with localized areas experiencing very heavy rain, commonly ranging from 40-80 mm, with some areas exceeding 150 mm. The rain is expected to concentrate in the afternoon and evening.
The meteorological agency warns of the risk of flooding in low-lying areas due to heavy rainfall, as well as the possibility of flash floods and landslides in mountainous regions.
