Higos: Tropical depression strengthens into year’s fourth storm to hit Vietnam

As of 10am on August 18, the storm was located at 20.1 degrees north and 116.5 degrees east, about 600 kilometres to the northeast of Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands, according to the national weather service.

The maximum wind speeds near the eye of the storm are estimated at 60-75 kilometres per hour with gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour.

The system is forecast to move west-northwest at a speed of 20 kilometres per hour over the next 24 hours and is likely to gather greater strength.

On the morning of August 19, Higos will be on the waters south of China’s Guangdong Province, sustaining winds of up to 90 kilometres per hour.

In the meantime, northern Vietnam has already been lashed with heavy rains over the past few days, prompting warnings of flash floods, landslides and inundation.

High rainfall between 49-80mm was recorded in Hai Phong and the provinces of, Yen Bai, Quang Ninh and Lao Cai.

It is projected that more heavy and very heavy rains will continue to batter the northern region in the coming days with typical amounts at 20-40mm, raising the risk of landslides and localised flooding in a vast swathe from Dien Bien to Hai Phong.

On August 17, torrential downpours during the afternoon rush hour in Hanoi swamped many streets in the city centre, resulting in traffic chaos and serious road congestion.