The tropical depression that is moving in the East Sea might not intensify into a storm and hit the southern region as expected.

As of 4pm today, the depression was approaching coastal areas in Binh Thuan and Vung Tau provinces, packing winds of 50kph to 61kph, according to a report released at 5:30pm today by the National Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Center.

During the next 12 hours, the depression will move west-southwest at a speed of 25 to 30kph towards central-southern and southern provinces, the report said.

Le Thanh Hai, the center’s deputy director, told local media on Wednesday that the depression has a 50 percent of chance of developing into a storm.

Le Thi Xuan Lan, a former expert at the center, told Tuoi Tre that the depression will not gain strength and intensify into a storm because it is moving so fast.

However, Hai warned that it could bring heavy rains to the southeastern region including Ho Chi Minh City.

HCMC authorities on Wednesday forced the evacuation of 1,600 residents in Can Gio rural district to safe areas and ordered the temporary closure of all local schools in preparation for the expected arrival of a tropical storm.

Vietjet Air and Vietnam Airlines have announced the cancellation of 20 flights from and to Cam Ranh – Nha Trang on Wednesday ahead of a possible storm.