Latest update from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, at 4:00 a.m. on August 24, the center of storm No. 5 was at about 17.6 degrees north latitude; 111.7 degrees east longitude, about 660 km east-southeast of Nghe An, about 640 km east of Ha Tinh. The strongest wind near the storm center is level 12 (118 - 133 km/h), gusting to level 15.
Storm No. 5 may reach level 16
According to Mr. Mai Van Khiem - Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, in the next 24 hours, the storm is forecast to move west-northwest at a speed of about 20 km/h.
At 4:00 a.m. on August 25, the center of the storm was at about 18.3 degrees north latitude; 107.8 degrees east longitude, in the southern Gulf of Tonkin, about 230 km east of Nghe An, about 210 km east of Ha Tinh. Strong winds of level 12 - 13, gusting to level 15 and may increase.
"We assess that this is a relatively special storm, forming right in the East Sea, with very strong intensity, moving fast and a very wide range of impact. According to the forecast of the Vietnam Meteorological Agency as well as international assessments, it is likely that this storm No. 5 will reach level 12, 13, gusting to level 15, 16. Especially a model for a more extreme, stronger level when moving near the coastal waters of our country" - Mr. Khiem analyzed.
It is forecasted that in the next 48 hours, the storm will move west-northwest at a speed of 15 - 20 km/h and gradually weaken into a tropical depression.
At 4:00 a.m. on August 26, the center of the tropical depression was at about 18.8 degrees north latitude; 103.7 degrees east longitude, in the upper Laos area. Strong wind level 6 - 7, gust level 9. The danger zone is from 16 to 20 degrees north latitude; west of the longitude 108.5 degrees east longitude.
The impact on the mainland will cause heavy rain and strong winds from tonight, August 24
Regarding the impact at sea, according to Mr. Khiem, the sea area west of the northern East Sea (including Hoang Sa special zone) will have strong winds of level 8 - 10, the area near the storm's eye will have winds of level 11 - 13, gusts of level 15; waves of 5 - 7 m high, the area near the storm's eye will have waves of 7 - 9 m, the sea will be very rough.
From noon and afternoon of August 24, the sea area from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien Hue (including Hon Ngu island, Con Co special area) will have winds gradually increasing to level 6 - 8, then increasing to level 9 - 10, the area near the storm's eye will have level 11 - 13, gusts of level 15; waves 4 - 6 m high, the area near the eye will have 7 - 9 m, the sea will be very rough.
From the afternoon of August 24, the northern part of the Gulf of Tonkin (including the special areas of Cat Hai, Co To, Van Don) will have winds gradually increasing to level 6 - 7, gusting to level 9; In the southern part of the Gulf of Tonkin (including the special area of Bach Long Vi), there will be strong winds of level 8, gusts of level 10, waves 2 - 4 m high, rough seas.
Coastal areas from Ninh Binh to northern Quang Tri have storm surges of 0.5 - 1.5 m. The water level in Sam Son (Thanh Hoa) is 3.3 - 3.8 m high, in Hon Ngu (Nghe An) is 3.5 - 4 m high, in Vung Ang (Ha Tinh) is 2.5 - 3 m high and in Cua Gianh (Quang Tri) is 1.5 - 2 m high.
There is a high risk of flooding in low-lying coastal areas, river mouths, and islands from Thanh Hoa to northern Quang Tri.
The meteorological agency also warned that the weather at sea and coastal areas during the storm is extremely dangerous, unsafe for vehicles and works such as tourist boats, passenger ships, transport ships, cages, aquaculture areas, dykes, and coastal roads. Vehicles are likely to overturn, be destroyed or be flooded due to strong winds, large waves and rising sea levels.
On land, from the night of August 24, the provinces from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri will have winds gradually increasing to level 7 - 9, near the storm center level 10 - 12, gusting to level 14 - 15; coastal areas from Quang Ninh to Ninh Binh will have winds gradually increasing to level 6 - 7, gusting to level 8.
From the night of August 24 to the end of August 26, in the Northern Delta, Southern Phu Tho and from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien Hue, there is a possibility of widespread heavy rain.
"The common rainfall is 100 - 150 mm, locally over 250 mm; especially in the Thanh Hoa to northern Quang Tri area, there will be heavy to very heavy rain with common rainfall of 200 - 400 mm, locally over 700 mm. There is a high risk of heavy rain over 200 mm in 3 hours" - Mr. Khiem warned.
The Director of the Meteorological Agency added that from August 25 to 26, the capital Hanoi and Da Nang City will have moderate rain, heavy rain and thunderstorms; Ho Chi Minh City will have showers and thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening. During thunderstorms, it is necessary to be on guard against the risk of tornadoes and strong gusts of wind.
From August 25 to 27, the upper and middle areas of Laos will have heavy rain with a common rainfall of 100 - 250 mm, in some places in central Laos over 500 mm.
