Downpours and strong winds have hit in multiple provinces and cities across south-central and southern Vietnam as tropical storm Usagi is closing in on the mainland.

As of 8:00 am on Sunday, the storm was located along the coast between the south-central province of Binh Thuan and the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre, unleashing winds at 60 to 90km per hour and gusts at up to 130km an hour.

It is forecast to move northwestward and make landfall in provinces from Binh Thuan to Ben Tre in the next 12 hours with average wind speed at about 70km per hour.

Usagi, which is the ninth storm to hit Vietnam this year, will then weaken into a tropical depression and eventually into a low-pressure zone, and its winds will reduce to under 40km per hour, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

The storm's circulation, combined with an enhanced cold front, is anticipated to bring heavy rains to provinces in the southern and south-central regions as well as some localities in north-central Vietnam and the Central Highlands from November 25 to 27.

In Ho Chi Minh City, torrential rains at between 100 and 200 millimeters of rainfall have also been predicted, accompanied by potential twisters and a high chance of inundation.

Due to the influence of the storm, downpours have already dampened many localities in the affected regions since Saturday.

A map detailing the route of storm Usagi on November 25, 2018. Photo: National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting

Showers have hit Ho Chi Minh City since Saturday evening and have lingered so far.

The municipal administration has been advising citizens to stay indoors.     

The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau was battered by torrential rains and strong gusts on early Sunday morning,   

A tree branch is broken by strong winds in Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Photo: Tuoi Tre

By 9:30 am the same day, various streets had been flooded and a few tree branches broken.

A similar situation also happened in multiple neighborhoods across Nha Trang and Cam Ranh Cities, located in south-central Khanh Hoa Province, posing challenges to commuters and residents.

Severe inundation has paralyzed a section of the north-to-south railway system in the south-central province of Ninh Thuan since Sunday morning.

People wear raincoats along a street in Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of November 25, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A street in Nha Trang City in south-central Khanh Hoa Province is inundated. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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