Storm Wipha set to intensify as it moves in on Vietnam

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as of 7 a.m. today the storm was centered in the northern part of the Leizhou Peninsula (China) 220 km east of Vietnam’s Quang Ninh – Hai Phong coast.

It packs steady winds of 88 kph and gusts of 103-117 kph, and moving west-southwest at a speed of 15–20 kph.

By 7 a.m. on Tuesday, it is expected to strengthen to 89-117 kph with gusts up to 150-166 kph, reach the northern part of the Gulf of Tonkin and possibly intensify further.

It is then expected to move inland over the north-central region between Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces and weaken into a low-pressure area over Laos.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency said the storm could weaken to 90 kph upon entering the Gulf of Tonkin but could strengthen to reach 108 kph as it approaches Quang Ninh – Hai Phong.

The Hong Kong Observatory believed the storm would maintain winds of 90 kph and head toward Ninh Binh – Thanh Hoa.

The storm's effects will bring winds of 50–74 kph, with gusts reaching 89–102 kph, over the northwestern part of the East Sea and waves five meters high.

Starting Monday night, coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Nghe An will experience winds of 50–88 kph, and 89–117 kph near the eye, with gusts of 150–166 kph.

Inland areas may see winds of 39–49 kph and gusts of 50–74 kph.

Winds of 89–117 kph can uproot trees and power poles and tear off roofs.

Forecasts for until Wednesday indicate widespread rainfall of 200–350 mm in the northeast, where Quang Ninh is situated; the Red River Delta, home to Hanoi; and the north-central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, with some areas getting more than 600 mm.

Other parts of northern Vietnam and Ha Tinh may get 100–200 mm, and in excess of 300 mm in some locations.

Intense rainfall in some places exceeding 150 mm in three hours could trigger flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, and flooding in low-lying regions.

In preparation for Wipha, Quang Ninh Province has banned all tourist boats in Ha Long Bay and routes leading to the islands.

Vessels are allowed to sail only to return to shore to offload passengers and cannot depart again.

Ninh Binh Province imposed a marine ban from 7 a.m. on Monday and began evacuating residents from vulnerable dike areas before noon.

Hung Yen enforced a ban from 6 p.m. on Sunday, while in Hai Phong the ban began an hour earlier.

Wipha is the third storm to affect Vietnam this year.

The first, Wutip, struck in June, triggering floods across the central region, killing 11 people and submerging over 3,500 homes. The second, Danas, entered Vietnam’s waters in July but did not make landfall and caused no human casualties.