A tropical depression off southern Vietnam strengthened into the country’s first storm in 2019 on Tuesday afternoon and is forecast to bring strong winds and deluge to the region.

As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, the storm, named Pabuk, was located about 460 kilometers southeast of the southern coast, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

Average wind speed was about 60 to 75km per hour, the center reported, adding that the storm was traveling northwest at approximately 15km an hour.

Storm Pabuk will be at about 200 kilometers south off the Ca Mau Cape, situated in the namesake southernmost province, as of 7:00 am on Thursday.

In the next 24 to 48 hours, the storm will continue its northwestward journey as it potentially picks up strength.

By 7:00 am on Friday, Pabuk will have been 320 kilometers southwest of the Ca Mau Cape, with wind speed increasing to between 60 and 90km an hour and gusts at up to 117km per hour.

A map detailing the route of Storm Pabuk from January 2 to 5, 2019. Photo: National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting

It is expected to keep strengthening in the next 48 to 72 hours.

Under the influence of the tropical storm, extreme winds and rough seas will occur in the southwest region of the East Vietnam Sea, as well as the coast from the south-central province of Quang Ngai to Ca Mau Province.

Heavy rain is forecast to dampen the southern region from January 2 to 4, with the highest rainfall to be recorded at 150 to 200 millimeters in Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, and Kien Giang Provinces.

Strong gusts will hit the region in the same period.

A cold spell from the north is forecast to cause downpours in the localities from north-central Thua Thien-Hue Province to Binh Thuan Province from January 2 to 4, the weather center said.

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