According to Mr. Mai Van Khiem - Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Department of Hydro-Meteorology, in addition to storm No. 15 currently active in the central East Sea, there is currently a tropical depression active in the eastern sea of Malaysia.
The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said that at 1:00 a.m. on November 29, the center of the tropical depression was at about 4.9 degrees north latitude; 105 degrees east longitude. The strongest wind near the center of the tropical depression is level 6-7 (39-61km/h), gusting to level 9; moving northeast at a speed of about 15km/h.
Mr. Khiem said that this tropical depression originated from storm Senyar, moving from the Indian Ocean, passing through Malaysia to the northwest Pacific. It is forecasted that in the next 24 hours, the tropical depression will move northeast, around this morning and noon, November 29, and is likely to move into the southwestern area of the South China Sea.
At 1:00 a.m. on November 30, the tropical depression centered at about 6.4 degrees north latitude; 108.1 degrees east longitude; level 7 intensity, gust level 9.
According to the Director of the Meteorological Agency, data from 2010 to present show that some tropical depressions have formed at latitudes lower than 5 degrees north latitude. However, most of these tropical depressions are moving westward, not eastward.
"Therefore, it is very rare for a tropical depression to form at low latitude and move eastward like a tropical depression active in the eastern part of Malaysia or can be said to have never appeared before" - Mr. Khiem commented.
However, according to the representative of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the possibility of this tropical depression directly affecting the Southern mainland is not high.
The circulation of this tropical depression mainly causes strong winds in the western sea of the South China Sea (including the western sea of the Truong Sa special zone), the eastern sea area of the sea from Lam Dong - Ca Mau has strong winds of level 6 - 7, gusts of level 8, waves 2.5 - 4m high.
Strong sea rough seas; dangerous sea areas in the next 24 hours in the southern area caused by tropical depressions are determined to be south of latitude 7.5 degrees north latitude; 104 - 108.5 degrees east longitude. The area of danger caused by the tropical depression in the next 24 - 48 hours is south of latitude 9.5 degrees north latitude; 105.5 - 111 degrees east longitude. Ship operating in the above-mentioned dangerous areas are likely to be affected by thunderstorms, whirlwinds, strong winds, and large waves.
It is forecasted that in the next 48 hours, the tropical depression will continue to move northeast at a speed of about 15km/h. At 1:00 a.m. on December 1, the center was at about 8.6 degrees north latitude; 110.5 degrees east longitude, in the northwest sea of the South China Sea. Intensity level 6 - 7, gust level 9.
The dangerous area is located south of the 10th parallel north; from 106.5 to 112 degrees east longitude. The natural disaster risk level is level 3 for the western sea area of the South China Sea (including the southwestern sea area of the Truong Sa special zone).
From the next 48 to 72 hours, the tropical depression will move mainly in the north-northeast direction, traveling 10-15km per hour and tending to weaken gradually.
