Tropical Depression upgraded to Tropical Storm

Tropical Depression 20W was upgraded to Tropical Storm Mekkhala on 29 September 2008 after it continued to strengthen ahead of landfall in Vietnam. According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, Mekkhala is not expected to strengthen any more before hitting northern Vietnam early on 1 October. Mekkhala is currently located approximately 115 mi/185 km south of Hainan Island, China and has been moving west at 12 mph/10 kt over the past six hours. Mekkhala currently has maximum sustained winds of 46 mph/40 kt with gusts of up to 58 mph/50 kt.