Latest news on tropical depression near the East Sea (highly likely to become storm No. 4), at 7:00 p.m. on September 16, the center of the tropical depression was at about 17.1 degrees North latitude; 123.9 degrees East longitude, in the sea east of Luzon Island (Philippines). The strongest wind near the center of the tropical depression is level 7 (50-61 km/h), gusting to level 9; moving mainly west at about 15 km/h.

At 7:00 p.m. on September 17, the tropical depression moved westward at a speed of about 25 km/h, moving into the East Sea, strengthening into a storm in the eastern sea of ​​the North East Sea, about 590 km east of the Hoang Sa archipelago. At this time, the storm reached level 8, gusting to level 10.

At 7:00 p.m. on September 18, the storm moved in a West-Southwest direction at a speed of 15-20 km/h; about 150 km east-southeast of Hoang Sa archipelago, at this time the storm reached level 8, gusting to level 10.

In the next 48 to 72 hours, the storm is likely to change direction, moving in a West Northwest direction, traveling 10-15km per hour and is likely to strengthen.

The tropical depression is likely to move into the East Sea and strengthen into storm number 4. Photo: nhmf.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Huong, Head of Weather Forecasting Department, National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, this tropical depression with a high probability of becoming storm No. 4 has relatively similar formation conditions to storm YAGI, also in the sea east of Luzon Island, Philippines, but the conditions to complete the storm structure are not as favorable as storm YAGI.

"The tropical depression must share moisture energy with the Pulasan storm that is active in the Northwest Pacific, so when it enters the East Sea, it will not immediately strengthen into a storm, but will take 1-2 days to complete its storm structure. In addition, the tropical depression is also affected by the cold air mass that will affect Vietnam from September 19, so we initially assess that this new storm is likely to be more complicated than storm No. 3. It is expected that on September 17, the tropical depression will enter the East Sea and strengthen into a storm on September 18," Mr. Huong said.

According to Mr. Huong, up to this point, meteorological experts have identified two scenarios for the tropical depression to make landfall that are highly likely to become storm number 4. One is that the storm moves straight into the Central Central region, the second scenario is that the storm changes direction to the West Northwest, which is likely to affect the Northern and North Central regions.

"If following scenario 2, the storm will enter the North this weekend, but if following scenario 1, it will enter the Central Central region 1-2 days earlier," said Mr. Huong.

Mr. Huong also warned of some notable impacts caused by the tropical depression, that is, from the morning of September 17, the eastern sea area of ​​the North East Sea will have strong winds of level 6-7, the area near the storm's center will have winds of level 8 (62-74km/h), gusts of level 10 (89-102km/h), and rough seas.

The eastern sea area of ​​the North East Sea has waves 2.0-4.0m high, increasing to 3.0-5.0m from tomorrow afternoon. Ships operating in the above-mentioned dangerous areas are likely to be affected by strong winds and large waves.