Tropical depression gains strength, takes aim at Vietnam

A tropical low-pressure system is likely to hit central and northern Vietnam this weekend, bringing heavy rains and high winds.

On Saturday morning (July 15), the system was near Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands with the fastest wind speed of 60 kilometres per hour, the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said in a statement.

It’s moving at the speed of 10-15 kilometres per hour and is expected to be south of Hainan Island tomorrow, before moving towards the Gulf of Tonkin, where it might grow into a storm.

By Sunday night, the system is forecast to be 190 kilometres from the Hai Phong – Nghe An coast with winds clocking speeds of up to 75 kilometres per hour.

                                             VOV