Super typhoon Ragasa forecast to enter East Vietnam Sea

Storm Ragasa is expected to enter the East Vietnam Sea on the morning of September 23 and may reach super typhoon strength with sustained winds of 184-201 kph and gusts above 220 kph, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

At 7:00 am on Friday, Ragasa’s center was about 1,000 kilometers east of Luzon Island in the Philippines, with maximum sustained winds of 62-74 kph and gusts up to 100 kph. The storm was moving northwest at around 10 kph.

Within 24 hours, winds could reach 89-102 kph, gusting up to 118-133 kph.

Over the next 24-48 hours, the storm may intensify to 118-149 kph, gusting up to 184-201 kph.

Between 48 and 72 hours, Ragasa is projected to reach 150-183 kph, gusting at 202-220 kph.

From 72 to 120 hours, the typhoon will likely move west-northwest at 20 kph and could intensify further.

By September 23, Ragasa is forecast to move into the East Vietnam Sea as the ninth storm to hit the maritime region this year, potentially reaching super typhoon strength.

Beginning September 22, strong winds of 39-61 kph with gusts up to 74 kph are expected over the northeastern East Vietnam Sea.

By September 23, the northern East Vietnam Sea, including Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) Special Zone, could face extreme conditions with winds of 150-201 kph, gusting beyond 220 kph, and waves higher than 10 meters.

Meteorologists warned of extremely dangerous conditions for vessels in the northern and central East Vietnam Sea.

Meanwhile, storm Mitag, the eighth to enter the maritime area this year, has strengthened to 75-88 kph, gusting up to 103-117 kph.

It was located in the northern East Vietnam Sea, about 130 kilometers east of Hong Kong as of 10:00 am on Friday.

Mitag is expected to make landfall in Guangdong Province, China later in the day before weakening to a tropical depression and later a low-pressure zone.

While Mitag is unlikely to directly impact Vietnam’s mainland, its circulation may bring widespread thunderstorms and heavy rains to northern provinces on September 23-24.

Nguyen Van Huong, head of the weather forecast department at the national weather center, said Ragasa could directly affect northern and central Vietnam between September 24 and 26.

“This is a powerful storm that may cause strong winds and heavy rainfall in northern and central provinces. We are closely monitoring its progress to provide timely forecasts and warnings,” he added.

By Minh Duy & Chi Tue – Tuoi Tre News – September 19, 2025