HCMC – A storm, internationally called Rai, is bringing heavy rains to parts of the central region in Vietnam today, December 18.
From December 18 to 19, heavy downpours, with average rainfall estimated at 100-250 millimeters, are forecast to batter provinces from Thua Thien-Hue to Khanh Hoa, posing a high risk of flash floods and landslides in some places, the local media reported.
At 7.00 a.m. today, the storm was spotted about 200 kilometers off Song Tu Tay Island in Vietnam’s Truong Sa Archipelago, packing the strongest winds at level 14, according to the national weather center.
The storm is moving west-northwest at a speed of 20-25 kilometers per hour and will be some 220 kilometers east of Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa provinces at 7.00 a.m. tomorrow.
In the next 24 hours, the storm might move north-northwest at 15-20 kilometers per hour to some 220 kilometers east of Danang and Quang Nam Province at 7.00 a.m. on December 20, with strong winds measured at level 11 and gusting at level 13.
In the next 48-72 hours, the storm is forecast to move north at 15-20 kilometers per hour and weaken into a tropical depression.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh on December 17 held an online meeting with authorities of 28 coastal provinces and the relevant ministries and departments to respond to and brace for the storm, urging ships and fishing boats to take shelter.
