A tropical depression over the northwestern waters of the Hoang Sa archipelago strengthened into Storm Maysak early on July 3, according to Vietnam's National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
At 4 am, the storm's centre was located at approximately 17.3 degrees north latitude and 110.1 degrees east longitude, over waters northwest of the Hoang Sa archipelago and about 120 kilometres south of Hainan, China.
Maximum sustained winds near the centre reached force 8, equivalent to 62 to 74 kilometres per hour, with gusts of up to force 10. The storm was moving westwards at around 10 kilometres per hour.
Forecasters expect Maysak to turn north northwest over the next 24 hours, travelling at 10 to 15 kilometres per hour. By 4 am on July 4, the storm is forecast to be off the western coast of Hainan, maintaining force 8 winds with gusts of force 10.
Within the following 48 hours, the storm is expected to continue moving north northwest at a similar speed. By 4 am on July 5, its centre is forecast to reach waters off Quang Ninh Province and Haiphong, with maximum sustained winds remaining at force 8 and gusts of up to force 10.
Over the subsequent 72 hours, the storm is expected to move northwards before weakening into a tropical depression and later a low pressure area. By 4 am on July 6, the centre is forecast to be over southern Guangxi, China.
Coastal areas of Quang Ninh Province, Haiphong and Hung Yen Province are expected to experience the storm's direct impacts from the afternoon of July 4. Winds are forecast to strengthen to force 6, increasing to force 7 to 8 near the storm's centre, with gusts of force 9 to 10. Waves of two to three metres and a storm surge of around 0.2 to 0.3 metres are also expected.
The weather agency urged local authorities and residents in affected areas to closely monitor the storm's development, follow official forecasts and warnings, and take preventive measures in line with guidance from relevant authorities.
