Tropical depression likely to strengthen into storm, heading to northern coast

The tropical depression has passed Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Spratly) archipelago and is heading towards the northern coast, weather forecasters said on August 1 morning.

In the next 24 hours, the depression is moving west and north-west at a speed of between 15 and 20 km per hour, and is likely to gain its strength into a storm, they said.

The storm packing wind of 75kmph near its centre is forecast to make landfall in the northern and north-central regions on weekends.

The heat wave which has baked the northern and north-central regions for more than 10 days will come to a halt as thunderstorms and heavy downpours are lashing the coastal provinces in coming hours.

Mountainous localities have been urged to closely monitor weather conditions and remain vigilant against possible landslides and flash floods.