The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said on July 21 that a low-pressure area was active east of the Philippines, about 1,200 kilometres off the country’s eastern coast.
It forecast that around July 23, the system could strengthen into a tropical depression. Between July 24 and 25, it could intensify further into a storm, with a probability of about 70 per cent.
After forming, the storm is likely to move into the northeastern part of the East Sea around July 25-26, with a probability of 60-70 per cent.
Large waves hit Do Son Beach in Haiphong City during a storm in 2025 (Photo: Hai Long).
The meteorological agency forecast that from July 23 to 25, northern Vietnam could see another spell of widespread rain. Total rainfall is expected to range from 70mm to 150mm, with some places receiving more than 250mm. The heaviest rain is forecast in Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Dien Bien and Son La provinces.
It warned that intense short-duration rainfall could trigger flash floods on small rivers and streams, landslides on steep slopes and flooding in low-lying areas.
The agency said it was continuing to closely monitor developments in the low-pressure area as well as the heavy rain expected in northern Vietnam.
The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said that over the next month, from July 21 to August 20, storm and tropical depression activity in the East Sea, including systems directly affecting mainland Vietnam, would likely be in line with the multi-year average, at around two systems, including one making landfall in Vietnam.
During the same period, storms are expected to make landfall in northern Vietnam or the north-central region before shifting towards central Vietnam around September and October.
Under strong El Nino conditions, this year’s storm season is expected to bring fewer storms than the multi-year average, but with a very high risk of extremely intense systems forming. Since the start of the season, three super typhoons have already formed in the north-west Pacific: Sinlaku, Mekkhala and Bavi.
