A low-pressure zone in the East Vietnam Sea is forecast to develop into a tropical depression on Wednesday morning, meaning heavy downpours will likely batter central provinces until the end of this week.

As of 1:00 am on Tuesday, the low-pressure zone was located 300 kilometers north of Song Tu Tay Island in Vietnam's Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

It will travel westward in the next 24 hours and potentially strengthen into a tropical depression.

The low-pressure system is expected to be 330 kilometers east of the coastline between south-central Binh Dinh and Khanh Hoa Provinces by 1:00 am on Wednesday.

Average wind speeds will be at 40-50km per hour with gusts up to 75km an hour.

The tropical depression will continue heading west in the next 24 to 48 hours and gain strength.

Under the combined effect of the tropical depression and a cold spell, torrential rain measuring at 300-500 millimeters will dampen central localities from October 6 to 11.

The heaviest downpours will be recorded in localities from north-central Ha Tinh Province to central Quang Ngai Province.

From October 11, rain in central Vietnam will linger for a long period.

Medium to heavy rain at 150-250 millimeters will occur in the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City.

Under the influence of the cold spell, showers and thunderstorms are forecast in northern localities, including Hanoi on Tuesday.

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