HCMC — Storm Koto has weakened to a level-8 system and is forecast to dissipate over the waters between Gia Lai and Khanh Hoa provinces within the next 24 hours, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
The weather forecast agency said Koto was located in the northwestern area of the central East Sea at 7 a.m., with maximum sustained winds of 74 km/h and gusts of up to level 10. The storm has shown little movement and has weakened after maintaining level-9 strength for two days.
The storm is expected to downgrade to a tropical depression by 7 a.m. Tuesday as it moves southwest at about 5 km/h. It will be about 170 km east of the Gia Lai–Dak Lak coast. By Tuesday evening, the system is forecast to weaken further into a low-pressure area over waters between Gia Lai and Khanh Hoa.
Forecasters said the weakening is caused by cold air moving south and the storm entering the final stage of its life cycle.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered ministries and provincial authorities to maintain the highest level of preparedness and to monitor the storm closely. He said officials would be responsible for the effectiveness of response measures.
The Border Guard Command said authorities from Quang Tri to HCMC have notified 48,411 vessels carrying more than 246,800 people of the storm’s developments. No vessels remain in dangerous areas.
The East Sea has recorded 15 storms and six tropical depressions this year, the highest in 30 years. Storms and floods have caused 409 deaths and economic losses exceeding VND85 trillion.
