Tropical depression likely to strengthen into storm in East Sea

The centre said at 7am on January 2, the centre of the tropical depression was approximately 430km east of Palawan Island in the Philippines. The highest wind speeds near the centre are estimated at 40-60km per hour.

It is forecast that over the next 12-24 hours, the tropical depression will expand rapidly westward at a speed of 30-35km per hour, enter the East Sea and is likely to strengthen into a tropical cyclone.

At 7am on January 3, the centre of the storm is forecast to be about 170km south-southeast of Song Tu Tay Island of the Truong Sa archipelago. The highest wind speed near the storm centre is estimated at 60-75km per hour.

Forecasters have warned of rough seas and storm force winds in the East Sea in the next 12-24 hours.