According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, at 4 a.m. on November 27 Koto was located about 190 km north of Song Tu Tay Island, packing winds of 118-133km/h with gusts up to 167-185km/h.

Meteorologists said Koto is showing signs of slowing down while its movement becomes increasingly erratic. Although it is expected to gradually weaken from November 28 as it interacts with a cold surge from the North, the typhoon will maintain very strong intensity beforehand.

In the next 24 hours, Koto will move west-southwest at 5–10 km/h while maintaining its intensity at 118-133km/h with gusts of 167-185km/h. On November 29, it is forecast to shift direction toward the west-northwest and then northwest, weakening to 103-117km/h.

Experts described Koto’s track as unusually complex for the end of the storm season. Deputy Director of the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Hoang Phuc Lam explained that the weakening of the subtropical high makes the storm’s path highly unstable. As Koto approaches cooler sea surface temperatures and encounters an intensifying cold surge, its structure will begin to break down and weaken.

Meteorologists currently outline two scenarios for the storm’s impact. In the more likely scenario, with a probability of 75 to 80%, Koto will veer northward, weaken into a tropical depression, and dissipate at sea. In this case, its impact on land would be limited, with winds of less than 39km/h and moderate rainfall below 50 mm per day, though some coastal areas could see 50–100 mm.

The second scenario, with a probability of 20 to 25%, is considered more dangerous for the south-central coast. Koto would continue moving straight toward the shore rather than turning north, bringing inland winds above 39km/h and heavy rainfall of 100–250 mm between November 29 and December 1.

Amid the storm’s rapid intensification and unpredictable trajectory, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued an urgent directive requiring all ministries, sectors, and coastal provinces to activate the highest level of preparedness and response measures.

He instructed authorities to prioritise the protection of human life above all else, review evacuation plans, relocate residents from hazardous areas, secure reservoirs, dykes, infrastructure, and aquaculture zones, and urgently call all vessels to safe harbours.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment must ensure timely, accurate storm and flood forecasts, while the armed forces and police stand ready to support evacuations and rescue operations. Other ministries are tasked with safeguarding transportation, electricity, telecommunications, tourism, schools, hospitals, and industrial activities.

Deputy PM urges focused efforts to respond to Storm Koto

Storm Koto, the 15th to form in the East Sea this year, has taken shape with an unpredictable trajectory, requiring close monitoring, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha stressed while chairing an online meeting with leaders of provinces and cities regarding emergency response efforts to the 15th storm.