PATTAYA, Thailand – Vietnamese media report that a tropical depression has formed off the central coast of the Philippines and may intensify into the 15th named storm in the South China Sea within the coming days.
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting of Vietnam, as of 8:00 a.m. on Monday (24), the depression was located over waters east of central Philippines, packing maximum winds of 61 km/h while moving west–northwest at around 20 km/h.
By 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday (25), forecasters expect the system to continue tracking over central Philippines with similar strength, speed, and direction before emerging into the South China Sea.
By 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday (26), the storm is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm, with sustained winds of around 82 km/h near the Spratly Islands, off the south-central coast of Vietnam — an area that recently suffered severe flooding due to relentless heavy rain.
Since the start of the year, the South China Sea has registered 14 tropical storms and 5 tropical depressions, making 2025 the second most active year in three decades, trailing only 2017, which saw 20 named systems.
Major storms this year — including Wutip, Wipha, Kajiki, Nongfa, Ragasa, Bualoi, Matmo, Fengshen, and Kalmaegi — have either made landfall or brought heavy rain and flooding to northern and central Vietnam. Beyond tropical cyclones, additional weather systems have also triggered intense rainfall and floods, particularly in central and south-central regions.
Meteorologists forecast 1–2 more storms or depressions could form in the South China Sea next month, with potential impacts on Vietnam’s mainland. Thai authorities are also monitoring the system, as its westward track could influence weather over Thailand later in the week, bringing increased rainfall and rough seas.
