On the evening of July 19, Typhoon No. 3 (Wipha) intensified after entering the Gulf of Tonkin, reaching level 10-11 (89-117 km/h), with gusts up to level 14. The storm continues to move west-northwest at a speed of 20-25 km/h, following a trajectory similar to that of Typhoon Yagi.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, at 7 PM, the storm's center was located at approximately 21.1°N latitude and 117.7°E longitude, in the northeastern waters of the northern East Sea. The strongest winds near the eye of the storm reached level 10-11, with gusts up to level 14. The storm was about 220 km east of the Leizhou Peninsula (China), moving west-northwest.

By the evening of July 21, the storm is expected to maintain strength at level 10-11, with gusts up to level 13, in the northern Gulf of Tonkin before shifting west-southwest at around 15 km/h. Around 7 PM on July 22, Typhoon No. 3 is forecast to make landfall in the northern Red River Delta and Thanh Hoa province, weakening to around level 8 with gusts up to level 10. It will then continue moving west-southwest at 5-10 km/h and gradually weaken further.

Severe marine conditions expected

Due to the storm’s influence, the northern East Sea will experience winds of level 8-10, increasing to 11-12 near the storm center, with gusts up to level 15. Waves are forecast to reach 5-7 meters high. The sea will be extremely rough.

From July 21, the northern Gulf of Tonkin (including Bach Long Vi, Co To, Cat Hai, and Cat Ba) will see increasing winds from level 6-7 to 8-9, with areas near the storm center reaching level 10-11 and gusts up to level 14. Waves will reach 2-4 meters, and up to 5 meters near the center. The sea will remain dangerously rough.

By the afternoon of July 21, the southern Gulf of Tonkin will also experience winds increasing to level 6-7, and up to 8-9 with gusts of level 11 near the storm’s path. Waves could reach 2-4 meters, with violent sea conditions expected.

All vessels operating in affected waters face high risks from thunderstorms, squalls, strong winds, and high waves. Extreme caution is advised.

Wipha follows path of past dangerous storms

At the July 19 meeting of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, leaders from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment noted that Wipha's trajectory closely resembles that of Typhoon Yagi. While its intensity may be slightly weaker, the risk of widespread heavy rainfall in the northern region remains high.

So far in 2025, three typhoons have formed over the East Sea. Among them, Typhoon Danas did not impact mainland areas, while Typhoon Wutip in June caused heavy rains across the Central region between June 11 and 13.

Bao Anh