Typhoon Wipha, the third storm of the year, is forecast to make landfall between Quang Ninh and Thanh Hoa on the night of July 21, packing wind gusts of up to 14 Beaufort scale (approx. 103 mph or 166 km/h). The system is expected to bring severe rainstorms to northern and north-central Vietnam.

As of 4 a.m. on July 20, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that the storm was located in the northern part of the East Sea, approximately 830 km east of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong.

The strongest winds near the center were recorded at level 11 (103-117 km/h), gusting to level 14. The storm is moving west-northwest at 20-25 km/h.

In the next 24-72 hours, the storm is forecast to continue west-northwestward before shifting west-southwest, slowing to 5-10 km/h, and gradually weakening.

In the northern East Sea, winds will reach level 8-10, increasing to level 11-12 near the eye of the storm, with gusts up to level 15. Waves are expected to reach 5-7 meters high, making sea conditions extremely rough.

From the night of July 20, northern areas of the Gulf of Tonkin - including Bach Long Vi, Co To, and Cat Hai - will experience winds of level 6-7, strengthening to 8-9 and further to 10-11 near the eye, with gusts up to level 14. Waves may rise to 3-5 meters.

From July 21, southern areas of the Gulf of Tonkin will see winds building to level 6-7, reaching level 8-9 near the storm’s center, with gusts up to level 11. Sea conditions in these areas will be extremely dangerous for all marine activities.

Coastal areas of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh are expected to experience storm surges between 0.5m and 0.8m. Coupled with high tide, this may raise water levels to 4.1m in Hon Dau (Hai Phong) and 5m in Bai Chay (Quang Ninh), causing significant flooding in low-lying coastal and estuarine zones around midday on July 22.

From the evening of July 21, strong winds will hit Quang Ninh to Thanh Hoa provinces, with coastal areas experiencing winds of level 7-9, gusting up to level 11. Inland regions may see winds of level 6-7, gusting to level 9. Areas directly affected by the storm’s center could face winds of level 10-11, with gusts as high as level 14.

From July 21 to 23, widespread rainfall is expected across the northern and north-central regions of Vietnam. Average rainfall is projected between 100-200mm, with some areas exceeding 300mm.

Particularly in the northeastern region, the Red River Delta, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An, rainfall could reach 200-350mm, with isolated areas experiencing over 600mm.

There is a significant risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, and rainfall intensity could surpass 150mm in just three hours.

Bao Anh