Tropical Storm Saudel strengthens into the South China Sea’s fifth storm, bringing waves up to 5 metres

Saudel has redeveloped over the South China Sea after weakening into a low-pressure system, becoming the fifth storm of 2026, Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said.

At 4 a.m. on Sept. 1, the storm’s center was about 240 kilometers north of the Hoang Sa special zone. Maximum winds near the center reached 62 to 74 kilometers per hour, with gusts up to 102 kilometers per hour. The storm was moving northeast at 15 to 20 kilometers per hour and was forecast to accelerate.

Forecasters said the storm center could reach the northeastern part of the northern South China Sea by 4 a.m. on Sept. 2. The danger zone over the following 24 hours covered areas north of 17.5 degrees north latitude and between 110.5 and 117.5 degrees east longitude.

Winds of force 6 to 7, with stronger gusts, were expected across the northern South China Sea, including the Hoang Sa area. Waves could reach 2 to 4 metres, rising to 3 to 5 metres near the storm’s center. Authorities warned vessels in the danger zone of thunderstorms, strong winds and high waves.

Heavy rain was also forecast before Vietnam’s Sept. 2 National Day. Areas from Quang Tri to Da Nang, the Central Highlands and southeastern Vietnam had already recorded showers and thunderstorms, with some locations receiving more than 80 millimetres of rain. Further rainfall of more than 50 to 60 millimetres was possible in parts of the central and southern regions.