Tropical depression in the East Sea likely to strengthen into storm

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as of 7:00 p.m. tonight (July 19), the center of the tropical depression is located at about 14.6 degrees North latitude; 116.8 degrees East longitude, in the eastern sea of ​​the Central East Sea. The strongest wind near the center of the tropical depression is level 6-7 (39-61 km/h), gusting to level 9; moving in the West Northwest direction at a speed of 5-10 km/h.

Meteorological experts say that in the coming hours, the tropical depression will continue to move in a West-Northwest direction at a speed of about 15km/h and is likely to strengthen into a storm tomorrow. By 7pm tomorrow (July 20), the storm's eye is likely to be in the northern part of the East Sea. The strongest wind near the storm's eye is level 8, gusting to level 10.

In the next 24 hours, the storm's eye will be located in the sea north of the Paracel Islands, about 230km east-southeast of Hainan Island (China).

From the next 48 to 72 hours, the storm moves northwest, traveling 10km per hour.

Due to the impact of the tropical depression that is likely to strengthen into a storm, the eastern sea area of ​​the North and Central East Sea will have showers and strong thunderstorms, strong winds of level 6-7, then increasing to level 8, gusting to level 10, very rough seas; waves 2-4 m high.

Experts also said that due to the impact of the tropical depression/storm, the southwest monsoon is moderate to strong, causing continuous rain in the Central Highlands and the South. Specifically, from the evening of July 19 to July 21, in the Central Highlands and the South, there will be moderate rain, heavy rain and thunderstorms, locally very heavy rain with common rainfall of 40-100 mm, locally over 150 mm (rain concentrated in the afternoon and night).

In addition, on the night of July 19 and July 20, in the North, there will be scattered showers and thunderstorms at night and in the morning, with some places having heavy rain. On the night of July 20 and July 21, there will be scattered showers and thunderstorms in some places, especially in the Northwest and Viet Bac regions, in the evening and at night, there will be scattered showers and thunderstorms, with some places having heavy rain.

Central region has scattered showers and thunderstorms; afternoon and evening have scattered showers and thunderstorms, locally heavy rain.

The meteorological agency warns of the risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas and flooding in low-lying, urban areas. During thunderstorms, there is a possibility of tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong gusts of wind.