Storm Koto, the 15th typhoon of the year, is forecast to change direction three more times in the coming days, while a rare tropical depression has entered the southern part of the East Sea, intensifying a complex and potentially dangerous weather pattern for central and southern Vietnam.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as of 4 a.m. on November 29, the center of Storm Koto was located about 310 km northwest of Song Tu Tay Island. The storm was packing sustained winds of 75–102 km/h (level 9–10), with gusts reaching level 13.

The storm is currently moving north-northwest at 5–10 km/h. Within the next 24 hours, it is expected to continue moving north at a slower pace of 3–5 km/h. By 4 a.m. on November 30, Koto's center will be in the northwestern waters of the central East Sea, approximately 330 km east of the Gia Lai–Dak Lak coastal region. The intensity is forecast to remain at level 9–10, gusting to level 13.

Over the following 24 hours, Koto will shift westward, moving even more slowly at around 3 km/h and beginning to weaken. By 4 a.m. on December 1, it will be located roughly 300 km east of the same coastal region, with sustained winds at level 9 and gusts to level 12.

Another 24 hours later, the storm is predicted to veer west-southwest at 3–5 km/h and continue weakening. By 4 a.m. on December 2, the storm center will be about 230 km east of the Gia Lai–Dak Lak coast, with its intensity dropping to level 8–9 and gusts to level 12.

Between 72 and 120 hours from now, Storm Koto is forecast to move slowly west-southwest at 3–5 km/h and weaken further.

Dangerous sea conditions

Due to Koto's impact, the northwestern area of the central East Sea is experiencing strong winds at level 7–8, with areas near the storm center reaching level 9–10 and gusts at level 12–13. Wave heights in this region are between 3–5 meters, and up to 6–8 meters near the center. The sea is extremely rough.

Offshore waters from Gia Lai to Khanh Hoa are also under threat, with winds increasing to level 8, gusting up to level 10, and waves as high as 4–6 meters. All vessels in these hazardous zones may face dangerous thunderstorms, gales, and high seas.

Rare tropical depression enters East Sea

Meanwhile, early this morning, a tropical depression officially entered the southern East Sea. At 7 a.m., the depression's center was located in the southwestern part of the East Sea, with sustained winds at level 6–7 (39–61 km/h) and gusts at level 9.

It is currently moving northeast at 10–15 km/h.

According to meteorologists, this depression originated from Storm Senyar, which formed in the Indian Ocean, crossed Malaysia, and entered the western Pacific.

“Storm Senyar is exceptionally rare - it formed in the Strait of Malacca, making it only the second storm ever recorded in that area after Typhoon Vamei in 2001,” a meteorologist noted.

In the next 24 hours, the depression is expected to continue moving east-northeast at 15 km/h. By 7 a.m. on November 30, its center will still be in the southwestern part of the East Sea with sustained winds at level 7 and gusts to level 9.

Within the following 24 hours, the system will head northeast at 15 km/h and begin to weaken. By 7 a.m. on December 1, it will be located in the northwestern part of the southern East Sea with reduced winds at level 6 and gusts to level 8.

From 48 to 72 hours after that, the depression is expected to continue moving mainly northeast at 10–15 km/h and further weaken into a low-pressure zone.

As it moves, the southwestern part of the East Sea will experience strengthening winds at level 6–7, gusting to level 9, and waves reaching 2.5–4 meters. The sea will remain rough.

Bao Anh