Tropical depression becomes storm, heads to central Vietnam

Dinanmu was formed at 1 p.m. in the East Sea, known internationally as the South China Sea, when it was around 200 kilometers from the central coast. Its strongest wind speed by then was around 75 kph.

Within Thursday, it will move in a west-northwest direction at a speed of 15-20 kph and reach the waters off Thua Thien Hue and Quang Ngai provinces within Friday afternoon before entering the two provinces and weakening into a tropical depression, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Tran Quang Nang, head of the center's Weather Forecasting, said: "The location where the storm was formed is close to shore and therefore makes it more dangerous."

He also noted the storm is going to move very fast and in less than 24 hours would make landfall while warning localities to prepare for landslides and flash floods.

The Japan meteorological station said the newly-formed storm has a wind speed of 65 kph and its circulation has already affected mainland provinces from Thua Thien Hue to Quang Ngai.

Hong Kong radio station said the storm currently has a wind speed of 55 kph and would sweep through a part of Quang Ngai as its eye covers Da Nang.

Under the storm’s influence, provinces from Quang Tri and Quang Ngai should expect strong winds of speeds up to 40-75 kph on Thursday night.

From Thursday afternoon to Friday, central provinces, including the Central Highlands, might receive rainfall of 150-250 millimeters and up to 300 millimeters in several places.

Dinanmu will make the sixth storm that has entered the East Sea so far this year.