Forecast track of Typhoon Kujira (Photo: Disaster monitoring system).
Typhoon Kujira has formed over the East Sea but is forecast to leave the area quickly without threatening Vietnam's mainland, taking an unusually eastward track instead of the more typical westward path.
Vietnam's National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said on the morning of August 5 that the tropical depression over the southeastern waters of the northern East Sea had strengthened into Typhoon Kujira.
The storm is forecast to move east-northeast before weakening into a tropical depression by the early hours of August 6 over waters northwest of Luzon in the Philippines.
Under the storm's influence, strong winds of Force 6 to 7, with gusts reaching Force 9, are expected over the southeastern part of the northern East Sea. Areas near the storm's centre could experience sustained winds of Force 8, with gusts up to Force 10. Waves are forecast to reach two to four metres, creating very rough seas.
The weather agency warned that vessels operating in the affected waters face hazardous conditions, including thunderstorms, waterspouts, strong winds and high waves.
Meteorologists said Kujira's track is unusual because, unlike most tropical cyclones that move westwards towards Vietnam, the storm is turning eastwards, meaning it is not expected to affect Vietnam's coastline or mainland.
The change in direction is being driven by the storm's interaction with Typhoon Dolphin, which is currently moving across the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Dolphin is forecast to head towards Okinawa, Japan, before approaching eastern China.
Meanwhile, overnight and during the early hours of August 5, moderate to heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms affected parts of northern Vietnam, including the northern midlands and Red River Delta, as well as Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces.
Forecasters said northern Vietnam and areas from Thanh Hoa to northern Quang Tri Province could receive widespread rainfall of 70-150 mm between August 5 and the night of August 6, with isolated areas recording more than 250 mm. Rainfall intensity could exceed 100 mm within three hours in some locations, increasing the risk of flash flooding and localised inundation.
Heavy rain is expected to ease gradually from August 7, according to the weather agency.