Overview

• Wipha weakened to tropical storm intensity after making landfall in Guangdong province on July 20
• It re-emerged over the Gulf of Tonkin before striking northern Vietnam on July 22 with sustained winds up to 102 km/h
• Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warned of 500–600 mm of localized rainfall and widespread totals of 200–350 mm, raising flood and landslide risks
• Authorities canceled flights and suspended operations at Haiphong and Quang Ninh airports, deploying 350,000 soldiers to reinforce flood defenses and evacuate at-risk communities
• Wipha is forecast to weaken into a low-pressure system over Laos by Tuesday night, although heavy rains may continue to affect upland and riverine areas