Tropical depression set to hit central provinces

Forecasters have stated that the centre of the tropical low pressure was located at 17.7 degrees north latitude and 112.0 degrees east longitude at 7am on September 3. The strongest winds close to the eye of the weather event were at between 40km and 50km per hour, affecting the provinces of Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam.

During the next 12 hours, the tropical depression is expected to gradually move eastwards at a speed of between 5 km and 10km per hour. 

Over the course of the next 24 hours, the tropical low pressure will continue to move east north-east at a speed of approximately 10km per hour. By 7am on September 4, the centre of the tropical depression will be located at 17.0 degrees north latitude and 109.4 degrees east longitude in the waters off of the provinces of Quang Tri to Quang Nam, with maximum winds reaching between 40 km to 60 km per hour close to the eye of the storm.

During the next 72 hours, the low-pressure zone will move north-east at a speed of 15km and is likely to strengthen into a typhoon.

According to forecasters, between now and September 5, there will be heavy downpours affecting provinces from Nghe An to Quang Ngai with average rainfall reaching 300mm to 500mm. Torrential rain also looks set to batter provinces from Quang Tri to Thua Thien Hue, in addition to the central highlands and southern region.