Saudel triggers downpours in central region, new storm coming

Hanoi (VNA) – While storm Saudel is causing heavy rains in the central provinces from Nghe An to Thua Thien-Hue, another named Molave is forecast to enter the East Sea on October 26 and affect the central region in the days to come.

Due to impact of Saudel, the eighth storm to hit the East Sea this year, rainfalls of 50 - 150mm are likely in areas from Nghe An to Thua Thien-Hue, even over 200mm in some places, on October 25 and 26, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

At 1pm of October 25, the storm’s centre was about 160km to the east of the area from Ha Tinh to Quang Tri, with wind speeds of up to 60 - 75km per hour near the eye.

In the next 24 hours, it will move westwards at about 15 - 20km per hour and make landfall in the Ha Tinh - Quang Tri area before weakening into a tropical depression and then a low-pressure area.

At 1pm of October 26, the centre of this low-pressure area will be on Thailand’s territory, and the fastest wind speeds will be less than 40km per hour.

Meanwhile, Director of the forecasting centre Mai Van Khiem said Molave is a strong storm that will move fast and may enter the East Sea on October 26.

From October 27 to 29, it is predicted to trigger downpours, with rainfalls of 200 - 350mm, in the central region, which has already been hit hard by floods recently.

Combined with the cold spell from the north, it may lead to prolonged rains in northern and central areas of this region, even more than 500mm in Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Quang Binh.

Khiem warned about very high risks of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas there on the following days, recommending the localities keep a close watch on this storm’s development to gear up for it.

At 1pm of October 25, the centre of Molave was about 230km to the east of the Philippines’ central coast and had winds of up to 90 - 100km per hour in its eye wall.

In the next 24 hours, it will move westwards at some 20km per hour, enter the East Sea, and continue to intensify. At 1pm of October 26, its eye will be on the central Philippines with the fastest winds of 100 - 115km per hour.

The storm will keep moving mainly westwards in the following 24 - 48 hours and to west-northwest between the next 48 and 72 hours.

At 1pm of October 28, its centre is expected to be on the sea area off the coast of the localities from Da Nang city to Phu Yen province. Its strongest winds at that time may be 100 - 135km per hour, according to the forecasting centre./.