Vietnam is bracing for the impact of Typhoon Wipha as it approaches the northern coastline this Tuesday morning. With wind speeds reaching up to 102 kilometers per hour, the storm was last reported 60 kilometers off the coast of Haiphong City at 6 a.m., moving southwest at 15 kilometers per hour.
Authorities have deployed almost 350,000 soldiers on standby, anticipating up to 50 centimeters of rainfall that could lead to severe flooding and mudslides. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh placed coastal provinces on emergency alert over the weekend, emphasizing the potential dangers of the typhoon.
Despite the looming threat, residents in Haiphong reported moderate wind and rain on Tuesday morning. “We are able to go outdoors this morning as the wind is not too strong,” said a resident of Cat Ba Island.
After making landfall in Hung Yen and Ninh Binh provinces, Typhoon Wipha is expected to weaken into a low-pressure system by Tuesday night, according to the national weather forecast agency. So far, there have been no reports of casualties or significant damage.
The impending storm has disrupted transportation, with airlines canceling and rescheduling dozens of flights. Several airports, ports, and train services have also been suspended as a precaution.
Vietnam’s long coastline along the South China Sea makes it particularly vulnerable to typhoons. Last year, Typhoon Yagi claimed around 300 lives and resulted in $3.3 billion in damages.
The nation remains on high alert as officials and communities work together to minimize the impact of Typhoon Wipha.
