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A tropical depression in the East Sea has intensified, packing winds of 39–61 km/h with gusts up to 75 km/h. It is forecast to make landfall in Quang Ninh and Lang Son within the next 24 hours, bringing widespread torrential rains across northern and north-central Vietnam.



On the morning of August 18, Hoang Phuc Lam, Deputy Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, provided an update on the path and impact of the tropical depression.

As of 7 a.m. on August 18, the center of the depression was located in the eastern part of the Gulf of Tonkin, about 135 km southeast of Bach Long Vi island. Maximum sustained winds near the center were at level 6–7 (39–61 km/h), with gusts reaching level 9 (up to 75 km/h), moving northwest at around 15 km/h.

Storm path and landfall warning

Over the next 24 hours, the tropical depression is expected to maintain its direction and speed. By 7 a.m. on August 19, the center is forecast to reach Quang Ninh and Lang Son provinces, with winds at level 6, gusting to level 8.

A level 3 disaster risk warning has been issued for the southeastern sea area of Quang Tri and the Gulf of Tonkin, including Bach Long Vi and Co To islands.

By 7 p.m. on August 19, the system will likely turn north-northwest and weaken into a low-pressure area along the Vietnam-China border.

Lam warned that starting this afternoon, strong winds of level 6, gusting to level 8, will hit the coastal areas of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong. The southeastern sea of Quang Tri and the Gulf of Tonkin (including Bach Long Vi and Co To) will see winds of level 6–7, gusting to level 9, with waves reaching 2–3.5 meters and rough seas. Boats in the affected areas could face thunderstorms, whirlwinds, strong winds, and high waves.

Heavy rain inundates large areas

Since last night and into this morning, coastal northern Vietnam has experienced moderate to heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms. In particular, the Red River Delta and the region from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri saw intense rain. Rainfall recorded from 7 p.m. on August 17 to 8 a.m. on August 18 reached over 70mm in several locations, including 94.2mm in Ngoc Lac (Thanh Hoa), 85.3mm in Ban Nuoc (Ha Tinh), and 72.4mm in Quang Phuc (Quang Tri).

From today through the night of August 19, northeastern Vietnam and Thanh Hoa are forecast to receive 50–150mm of rain, with some areas exceeding 300mm.

Meanwhile, Nghe An and Ha Tinh will experience 30–60mm of rain, with localized totals exceeding 150mm.

The northwest, areas from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai, the Central Highlands, and the southern region will also see scattered showers and thunderstorms, with rainfall ranging from 15–30mm and localized totals surpassing 80mm. Most of the rain will fall in the afternoon and evening.

A warning has been issued for rain intensity exceeding 100mm within three hours in some locations.

Storm weakening expected after August 20

Starting August 20, the heavy rain is expected to gradually subside across affected regions.

However, meteorological authorities caution that thunderstorms may bring lightning, hail, tornadoes, and strong gusts. Heavy rainfall could result in flash floods along small rivers and streams, landslides on slopes, and flooding in low-lying areas, urban zones, and industrial parks.