Storm Nakri, the sixth to strike Vietnam this year, which developed from a tropical depression on Tuesday evening is picking up strength as it gradually moves toward the country’s central region.
The storm was located about 310 kilometers northeast of Song Tu Tay (Southwest Cay) Island in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago as of 7:00 am on Wednesday, packing winds at 60 to 75km per hour and gusts at up to 100km an hour, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.
It is expected to move east in the next 24 hours, picking up strength to increase its average wind speed to between 75 and 100km per hour.
In the next 24 to 48 hours, Nakri will travel slowly southward before veering westward, and is expected to be located 260 kilometers northeast of Song Su Tay Island on Friday morning.
In the next 48 to 72 hours, the storm will keep traveling west and become more powerful.
As of 7:00 am on Saturday, it will be about 190 kilometers west of Song Su Tay Island, unleashing winds at 100 to 135km per hour and gusts at 160km an hour.
In the next 72 to 120 hours, Storm Nakri is forecast to close in on the Vietnamese coast and make landfall in central provinces on Sunday.
Localities between the central province of Thua Thien-Hue and southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau may be directly affected when the tropical storm reaches the mainland.
Source: Tuoitrenews