As of 6:00 AM on July 21, Storm Wipha (Typhoon No. 3) was located 233 km east of Quang Ninh - Hai Phong, with winds at Category 9 (75-88 km/h), gusting up to Category 11. Over the past 12 hours, the storm weakened from Category 12 but is expected to intensify again as it moves into the Gulf of Tonkin later today.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Wipha is moving west-southwest at 15-20 km/h and is likely to strengthen upon entering the Gulf. By 4:00 AM on July 22, the storm is forecast to reach northern Gulf waters with winds at Category 10-11, gusting up to Category 14.

It will continue west-southwestward, making landfall over Hai Phong to Thanh Hoa during July 22, weakening into a tropical depression by July 23, and further into a low-pressure system over northern Laos thereafter.

Strong winds and high seas

Today, strong winds of Category 7-8 are expected in the northwestern waters of the East Sea, with areas near the storm center reaching Category 9, gusting to Category 11, and waves rising 4-6 meters.

Northern Gulf areas, including Bach Long Vi, Co To, Cat Hai, and Hon Dau, will see winds intensifying to Category 10-11, gusting up to 14, with waves between 3-5 meters. Southern Gulf waters, including Hon Ngu Island, will see winds at Category 8-9 and waves up to 4 meters.

Coastal zones from Quang Ninh to Nghe An will face rising winds this evening, with strong gusts and storm surge expected. Water levels could reach 4.8 meters in Cua Ong, 4.1 meters in Hon Dau (Hai Phong), and up to 4 meters in Tra Co (Quang Ninh), raising risks of coastal flooding on July 22.

Authorities warn that marine and coastal conditions are extremely dangerous during the storm. All operations involving fishing vessels, tourism boats, floating structures, aquaculture farms, sea dikes, and coastal roads are deemed unsafe due to the threat of high winds, lightning, tornadoes, and surging waves.

Onshore, coastal areas from Quang Ninh to Nghe An are forecast to face wind speeds reaching Category 10-11, gusting to Category 14. Inland zones will experience winds at Category 6, gusting to 7-8, strong enough to topple trees, utility poles, and damage roofs.

Severe rainfall expected

From July 21 to 23, the northeast, Red River Delta, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An will receive widespread heavy to torrential rainfall, ranging from 200-350 mm, with some localities possibly exceeding 600 mm. Other northern provinces and Ha Tinh may see rainfall between 100-200 mm, locally up to 300 mm.

Meteorologists warn of extreme rainfall over 150 mm in just three hours in some areas, increasing the risk of flash floods, landslides in mountainous regions, and flooding in low-lying urban and rural zones.

Bao Anh