Illustrative image (Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - A tropical pressure in theEast Sea has developed into a storm, with it set to be the first storm to hitVietnam this year.
It is likely to impact the Central Highlands and southernregions of Vietnam.
According to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorologicalForecasting, by 7am on January 3, tropical storm Bolaven was centred at about 10.6degrees north latitude and 116.0 degrees east longitude, about 210km from SongTu Tay island of Truong Sa archipelago, with winds of up to 60-75km per hour.
In the next 24 hours, the storm is forecast tomove the west-northwest at a speed of 25 km per hour.
By 7am on January 4, it is predicted to be at 11.1degrees north latitude and 111.0 degrees east longitude, about 250km from the easterncoasts of the central provinces of Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan, with wind speedsbetween 60-75km per hour.
In the next 24 - 48 hours, the storm will keepmoving to the west-northwest at a speed of 20km per hour and weaken into a tropical low pressure.
Central Highlands and Southern localities havebeen directed to take measures to cope with the storm.
They have been asked to monitor the movements of storm, thus warning owners ofships operating offshore, advising them to seek safe harbours. They were also required to check the safety of dykesystems and infrastructure works in coastal areas.-VNA
VNA
