According to the latest storm information from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), as of 11:00 a.m. on November 26 (local time), storm No. 15 (Koto) was located at about 12.4 degrees North latitude - 116.8 degrees East longitude, closer to the central coast of Vietnam.
The storm is moving west at a speed of 35 km/h. The strongest wind near the center of the storm reached 95 km/h, gusting up to 115 km/h.
The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting predicts that storm No. 15 will continue to strengthen and move around the sea.
Accordingly, by 7:00 a.m. on November 27, the storm will move in a West-Northwest direction at a speed of 15 - 20 km/h, the center of the storm will be located in the Central East Sea, about 170 km north of Song Tu Tay Island. The storm is expected to strengthen with winds of level 10, gusting to level 13.
At 7:00 a.m. on November 28, the storm changed direction to the West Southwest, in the Central East Sea, about 160km northwest of Song Tu Tay Island. The storm continues to intensify violently with winds of level 11, gusting to level 14.
On the morning of November 29, the storm changed direction to move West Northwest at a speed of about 5 km/h. The center of the storm is in the western sea area of the Central East Sea, about 270km west-northwest of Song Zi Tay Island. Winds remain at severe tropical storm level, level 11, gusting to level 14.
PAGASA forecasts that on November 30, the storm will move in a West-Northwest direction, with reduced wind intensity. However, by November 31, the storm had strengthened to the level of a severe tropical storm.
Due to the influence of storm No. 15, the Central East Sea area (including the sea area north of Truong Sa special zone) has strong winds of level 6-7; the area near the storm's center has strong winds of level 8-10, gusts of level2; waves 4.0-6.0m high, the area near the storm's center has 6.0 8.0 8.0m; the sea is very rough.
During the period of November 27-28, the Central East Sea area (including the northern sea area of Truong Sa special zone) is likely to be affected by strong winds of level 11, gusts of level 14, waves 7.0 9.0m high, and rough seas. Ship operating in the above-mentioned dangerous areas are likely to be affected by thunderstorms, whirlwinds, strong winds, and large waves.
Given the forecast of the complex path of the storm, people in the Central region and tourists should pay attention to weather forecasts. Avoid going offshore when the sea is rough and follow local instructions to avoid dangerous storms.
