The tropical depression near the East Sea has strengthened into Typhoon Sinlaku. The typhoon is forecast to strengthen into the first super typhoon of 2026, according to information from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA).
This system is expected to move slowly in the early stages but will gradually increase in intensity. Typhoon forecast models show that Sinlaku may reach very strong typhoon level, even super typhoon threshold with wind intensity exceeding level 17 on the Beaufort scale when peaking.
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) forecasts that Sinlaku will strengthen to super typhoon level on April 12.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), as of the morning of April 11, Typhoon Sinlaku was still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
The storm has maximum sustained winds of 130km/h, gusts up to 160km/h. The storm is moving in a northeast direction at a speed of about 10km/h.
The forecast path shows that the storm will continue to strengthen over the ocean in the coming days. Although it is likely to enter the PAR area next weekend, slow movement may cause the storm to change direction and not directly affect the mainland Philippines. The possibility of landfall is still assessed as low, although the storm may go along the eastern edge of PAR.
Even if it does not make landfall, the storm's circulation can still cause strong winds and rough seas in some coastal areas in the east of the Philippines as it approaches this sea area.
Typhoon Sinlaku is unlikely to enter the East Sea.
International meteorologists also warned that Typhoon Sinlaku could become a serious threat to Guam Island.
The typhoon season in Guam usually lasts from June to November. However, the island can still be affected by tropical storm systems at any time of the year. Previously, Typhoon Andy in 1989 was a rare super typhoon with intensity equivalent to level 3 or higher (according to the Saffir-Simpson storm scale) approaching Guam in April.
According to assessments, the storm may cause strong gusts of wind, heavy rain and the risk of flooding, leading to power outages and damage to works in the affected area.
In the context of Typhoon Sinlaku tending to strengthen and the weather diễn biến still containing risks, tourists planning to go to destinations such as Guam, Philippines or the Western Pacific region need to closely monitor storm and weather forecast bulletins from the official meteorological agency.
If you have a sea and island tourism itinerary, tourists need to proactively check flight schedules, trains and transportation services, due to the risk of interruption when the storm approaches. At the same time, you should choose accommodation facilities with clear disaster response plans, ensuring safety in bad weather conditions.
