Storm No. 12 continues to change direction 420 km from Da Nang city

Photo caption — The trajectory of Typhoon No. 12 at 1 PM on October 21st. Photo: VNA (Vietnam News Agency)

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, at 4 PM on October 21st, the typhoon's center was located at approximately 17.5 degrees North latitude and 111.9 degrees East longitude, in the sea north of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands, about 420 km east-northeast of Da Nang city. The strongest winds near the center of the typhoon were at level 9-10 (75-102 km/h), with gusts up to level 12. It was moving west-southwest at a speed of 10-15 km/h.

Forecasts indicate that by 4 PM on October 22nd, the storm will be approximately 125 km east-northeast of Da Nang city, with wind speeds of level 8, gusts of level 10, moving west-southwest at a speed of about 10-15 km/h and gradually weakening. The affected area includes the western part of the North East Sea (including the Hoang Sa Special Economic Zone), and the sea area south of Quang Tri to Quang Ngai (including the Con Co, Ly Son, and Cu Lao Cham Special Economic Zones). The level of natural disaster risk is level 3.

Subsequently, at 4 PM on October 23rd, the storm over southern Laos, with wind speeds below level 6, moved west-southwest at a speed of approximately 10-15 km/h and is likely to gradually weaken into a tropical depression and then a low-pressure area. The affected area includes the sea south of Quang Tri to Quang Ngai (including the Con Co, Ly Son and Cu Lao Cham special zones), and the coastal mainland of provinces and cities from Quang Tri to Da Nang.

Due to the impact of the storm, the western sea area of the North East Sea (including the Hoang Sa special zone) will experience strong winds of force 7-8; areas near the storm's center will experience winds of force 9-10, gusting to force 12; sea waves will be 3-5m high, and 5-7m high near the storm's center, with very rough seas.

The sea area from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai (including Con Co Special Zone, Cu Lao Cham Island and Ly Son Special Zone) will experience strong winds of level 6, increasing to level 7 from the morning of October 22nd, reaching level 8 in the area near the storm's center, with gusts up to level 10, sea waves 3-5 meters high, and rough seas.

Coastal areas of provinces and cities from Quang Tri to Da Nang experienced storm surges of 0.3 - 0.5m.

All vessels operating in the aforementioned hazardous areas are susceptible to the effects of thunderstorms, tornadoes, strong winds, and large waves. Coastal areas from Quang Tri to Da Nang need to be wary of large waves combined with high tides and storm surges, which can cause flooding in low-lying areas and coastal erosion.

On land, due to the influence of the circulation of typhoon No. 12 combined with a strong surge of cold air, from the afternoon of October 22nd, strong winds gradually increased to level 6, sometimes level 7, with gusts of level 8-9, along the coastal areas of provinces from Quang Tri to Da Nang.

In addition, due to the influence of the storm circulation and cold air combined with easterly wind disturbances and topographic effects, from around noon on October 22nd to October 27th, the area from Ha Tinh to Quang Ngai is highly likely to experience widespread heavy rain (heavy rain concentrated from the afternoon of October 22nd to the end of October 23rd).

The total rainfall in Ha Tinh to northern Quang Tri and Quang Ngai is generally around 200-400mm, with some areas exceeding 500mm. In the area from southern Quang Tri to Da Nang city, rainfall is generally 500-700mm, with some areas exceeding 900mm. A warning is issued for heavy rainfall exceeding 200mm/3 hours.

Heavy rains in the Central region are likely to continue until the end of October 2025. There is a high risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, and flooding in low-lying areas and urban centers.

Associate Professor, Doctor Mai Van Khiem, Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, noted: "Local authorities need to pay attention to the safe operation of hydroelectric and irrigation reservoirs before, during, and after the storm, and be prepared with response plans for flood scenarios on rivers from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai that may reach and exceed alarm level 3. Be prepared for the risk of thunderstorms, tornadoes, and strong gusts of wind in the storm's affected area, both before and during landfall. The forecast indicates a level 3 natural disaster risk due to floods and inundation."

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/bao-so-12-tiep-tiep-doi-huong-cach-thanh-pho-da-nang-420-km-20251021181111080.htm