After moving slowly for a day due to strong interaction with a cold air mass, Fengshen weakened into a tropical depression at 10 p.m. Wednesday, about 130 km off Da Nang, with maximum sustained winds of 61 kph.

The predicted trajectory of Storm Fengshen, which has delved into a tropical depression, and a new tropical depression formed off Vietnam's waters.

According to Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the system was moving southwest at 20 kph at 7 a.m. Thursday and was located over the sea area between Quang Tri and Quang Ngai provinces. It is expected to make landfall over the Hue–Quang Ngai region later this morning.

After moving inland, the tropical depression is forecast to weaken further into a low-pressure area over the land between Da Nang and Quang Ngai, the center said.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency reported Fengshen’s wind speed at 83 kph on Wednesday night, decreasing to 65 kph as it neared Da Nang’s coast.

The Hong Kong Observatory estimated winds of 85 kph and similarly predicted the storm would weaken to a tropical depression before landfall.

Under the storm’s influence, the western part of the East Sea, including the Paracel Islands, and coastal waters from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai — including Con Co, Ly Son, and Cu Lao Cham islands — are experiencing strong winds of 39–61 kph and waves reaching 2–4 meters.

The storm’s circulation, combined with a cold air mass, easterly disturbances, and local topography, is expected to bring heavy rainfall from Thursday night through Friday.

Forecasts predict rainfall of 100–200 mm across Ha Tinh to Quang Ngai, with some areas exceeding 300 mm. Southern Quang Tri to Da Nang may see 200–400 mm, and localized totals could surpass 700 mm.

The heaviest downpours are expected from Thursday night until late Friday, with up to 150 mm of rain possible within three hours in coastal areas between southern Quang Tri and Da Nang.

Heavy rain across central Vietnam may persist through the end of October. Meteorologists warn of a high risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, and flooding in low-lying and urban regions.

The new tropical depression which has developed near Taiwan is forecast to move into the South China Sea on Friday. However, due to interaction with the cold air mass, it is expected to weaken and is unlikely to affect Vietnam.

Formed on Oct. 18 from a tropical depression east of the Philippines, Fengshen is the 12th storm to appear in the South China Sea this year. The two most recent storms, Bualoi and Matmo, caused heavy rain and severe flooding in northern and central Vietnam from late September.

Storm Fengshen and cold air mass to drench central Vietnam next week

Tropical Storm Fengshen is expected to weaken over the sea as it meets a strong cold air mass, but its circulation could still bring days of heavy rain to central Vietnam from Oct. 23 to 26, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

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