FLASH UPDATE #1 – Tropical Cyclone 03W
Countries under monitoring: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Viet Nam
OVERVIEW: According to Viet Nam’s National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NHCMF) and Viet Nam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA), on the evening of 13 July, the low pressure area in the western sea of ??the central East Sea strengthened into a tropical depression category. At 1900H UTC+7 on 14 July, the centre of Tropical Cyclone (TC) 03W which is on Tropical Depression Category, was located at about 14.9N and 112.0E, in the sea south of the Hoang Sa archipelago.
MOVEMENT & INTENSITY: The strongest wind near the centre of TC 03W is estimated at 39-49 km/h, with gusts up to 65 km/h. It is moving in the west-northwest direction at a speed of about 10 km/h.
FORECAST:
- TC 03W will track to the West Northwest direction at about 15 km/h and gradually weakening from tropical depression level into a low pressure area as it moves towards the area of southern Lao PDR (NHCMF).
- Based on the current forecast, TC 03W is expected to make landfall within the next 15 hours, along the shores of/near Th?a Thiên – Hu?, with sustained winds of about 46 km/h (DMRS).
HAZARDS:
Cambodia & Lao PDR
- Thunderstorms are expected in most of Cambodia and Lao PDR according to Cambodia’s Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MWRM) and Lao PDR’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH).
Thailand
- According to Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) and Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD), TD 03W, together with the Southwest Monsoon, may bring thunderstorms and heavy rain, with very heavy rain in the Northeastern and Eastern regions, and southern west coast of Thailand. This may cause flash floods and floods, especially in mountain slopes near waterways and low-lying areas.
Viet Nam
- From July 15-17, the plains and coastal areas of the North, Central Highlands and South will have moderate rain, heavy rain and thunderstorms, locally very heavy rain, with common rainfall of 50-100mm, locally over 150mm; North and Central Central regions: 50-100mm, locally over 200mm. (VDDMA, NHCMF).
- From July 15-18, the Northwest and Viet Bac regions of the North and South Central regions will have scattered showers and thunderstorms, locally heavy to very heavy rain with rainfall from 15-30mm/24 hours, locally over 80mm/24 hours (rain concentrated in the evening and at night). (VDDMA, NHCMF)
- People are warned of potential disasters due to heavy rain, tornado, lightning, and hail (VDDMA).
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE:
- According to VDDMA, on 13 July 2024, the Prime Minister, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Public Security, and Ministry of Transport issued official dispatches focusing on proactive response to floods and landslides.
- The working group of the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control coordinated with local authorities to inspect and assess the damage situation, and respond to overcome the impacts of landslides.
- Localities organize on-duty shifts, monitor weather developments, provide forecast information, and direct responses to natural disasters and heavy rain.
- Provinces and cities in the Northwest, Viet Bac, Northern Delta and coastal areas, Central, Central Highlands and Southern regions must strictly implement Official Dispatch 4978/CD-BNN-DD dated July 13, 2024 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
- Concerned National Hydrometeorological Services of countries that may potentially be impacted by the effects of TD 03W regularly monitor and issue warning and advisories regarding the developments and potential impacts of the weather situation.
The AHA Centre will continue to monitor for further developments and issue necessary updates.
DATA SOURCES
ASEAN Disaster Monitoring & Response System (DMRS), ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet); Pacific Disaster Center (PDC Global); ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC);
Cambodia: MWRM;
Lao PDR: DMH;
Thailand: DDPM, TMD;
Viet Nam: VDDMA, NHCMF, VNDMS;
Verified news media agencies;
