Low tropical pressure strengthens into storm

Hanoi (VNA) – A tropical depression has strengthened into a storm after entering the waters in the northwest of Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, becoming the second storm hitting the East Sea this year.   
At 9am on June 5, the storm was at 17.3 degrees north latitude and 111.1 degrees east longitude, about 190km to the south-southeast of Hainan Island, with winds near its centre at 60-75km per hour and higher gusts.

In the next 24 hours, the storm is forecast to move mainly north at a speed of 5-10 km per hour. As of 9am on June 6, it is expected to be located at 19.5 degrees north latitude and 111.3 degrees east longitude, in the waters to the east of Hainan Island.

Due to the storm, strong thundershower and rough sea are expected in the western region of the East Sea, including waters around Hoang Sa archipelago. Waters offshore the Tonkin Gulf and central region will see strong rains, thunderstorm and strong gusts.

Coastal provinces are bracing for the storm. As of the morning of June 5, the central province of Thanh Hoa has contacted more than 1,000 fishing boats with more than 6,880 sailors at sea to tell them to seek shelter. About 390 boats have returned to land.

Coastal localities with beaches frequented by tourists have put in place plans to ensure safety for visitors.  

In the central province of Quang Ngai, more than 2,300 holiday makers have been stuck on Ly Son island due to bad weather and rough sea in the past several days. In the morning of June 5, eight large ships have been deployed to transport all the tourists back to land.

Dang Phuc Con, a tourist from the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, said he arrived in Ly Son on June 1 and planned to return home on June 3. However, ships on the Ly Son-Sa Ky route were banned from sailing since 9am on June 3 due to bad weather, forcing him and many other tourists to stay in the island.-VNA