Locations Affected: Vietnam, Philippines, China, Thailand
On 22 July, Tropical Storm Wipha made landfall in Vietnam’s northern provinces of Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa, with wind speeds of up to 74 kph, bringing heavy rainfall. On 20 July, Tropical Storm Wipha had made landfall in Hong Kong and southern China at full typhoon strength, causing heavy rainfall and widespread flooding. The storm also caused significant destruction in the Philippines from 19 July. As of 23 July, Tropical Storm Wipha has resulted in six fatalities, with at least five people reported missing in the Philippines.
Vietnam is vulnerable to typhoons due to its long South China Sea coastline. Tropical Storm Wipha is the first major storm to hit the country in 2025. The Philippines also frequently experiences storms each year. Climate change and global warming have contributed to making storms more intense and destructive.
Impact of Wipha Across Countries
- Vietnam: Power outages were reported in Hung Yen Province. Multiple businesses closed due to the storm. Flooding and localized inundation were reported in Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, and Son La districts. Urban flooding in Ninh Binh rendered multiple roads impassable. Adverse weather conditions led to cancelled or delayed flights. Some airports, ports, and train services were suspended in northern regions, including Hai Phong and Quang Ninh. As of 24 July, three casualties and one missing person was reported in the country.
- Philippines: The storm heavy rainfall and flooding in several areas, including Metro Manila and Luzon, resulting in the suspension of government work, business closures, and flight cancellations. The overflow of the Marikina River led to mass evacuations, with thousands of families relocated to evacuation centres.
- Hong Kong: The storm brought over 110 mm of rainfall within three hours and wind gusts exceeding 167 kph. Several flights were affected at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).
- China: Moisture from Wipha’s circulation contributed to torrential rainfall in southern and eastern provinces. Authorities implemented traffic controls on major expressways connecting Shenzhen and Zhuhai to Hong Kong, as well as at ports; these restrictions were lifted by 20 July. The cities of Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Macao cancelled or delayed all daytime flights on 20 July.
- Thailand: The Thai Meteorological Department has warned of thunderstorms and possible flash floods through 24 July, particularly in northern and northeastern regions. Remnants of the storm triggered flash floods in Nan Province on 23 July. A total of 29 roads in Chiang Rai, Nan, and Phayao were affected, with seven rendered completely impassable due to flooding and landslides.
Weather Forecast and Outlook on the Situation
Tropical Storm Wipha has weakened into a tropical storm over Xiangkhouang Province, Laos, and is expected to further degrade into an active low-pressure system. However, heavy rainfall is forecast to continue in parts of China, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Coastal areas of Vietnam and China remain at risk of storm surges and wind damage. Northern, northeastern, central, and eastern regions of Thailand may continue to experience heavy rainfall and flash floods. Flight delays or cancellations are likely, especially in affected cities such as Hanoi, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen. Damage to utility infrastructure could disrupt power and communication services. Organizations are advised to monitor weather updates and implement contingency measures as needed.
