Storm Wutip may strike China or enter Gulf of Tonkin

However, it may still enter the Gulf of Tonkin, which borders China, Hainan Island, and northern Vietnam, meteorological experts said.

By 7 a.m. Thursday, the storm was positioned just west of Vietnam's Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands, packing winds of around 74 kph and moving west-northwest at a speed of 10–15 kph, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Experts have outlined two possible paths for Wutip. The more likely scenario is that it will cross over Hainan Island, then curve northeast toward mainland China. A less probable path would see the storm veer west of Hainan Island, enter the eastern Gulf of Tonkin, and then move toward southern China.

Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy Head of Weather Forecasting at the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, noted that both scenarios could bring strong winds of up to 88 kph near the Paracel Islands and offshore areas from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai Provinces in central Vietnam.

At a meeting held Wednesday to discuss storm response, Mai Van Khiem, Director of the Weather Forecasting Department, said Wutip is expected to intensify on Thursday, with sustained winds of 75–88 kph, and reach peak strength near Hainan Island on Friday, with winds ranging from 80 to 102 kph.

The storm is forecast to bring significant rainfall between Thursday and Friday, with provinces from Quang Binh to Quang Ngai receiving 100–300 mm of rain. In some areas, rainfall may exceed 450 mm.

"Rainfll of more than 200 mm within six hours could trigger flash floods, landslides, and widespread flooding," Khiem said.