Typhoon Wipha strikes southern China, Vietnam braces for landfall and flooding

Typhoon Wipha (TS 09W) made landfall in Jiangmen City near Taishan, China’s Guangdong Province, at 09:50 UTC on July 20, after passing just south of Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Observatory issued Hurricane Signal No. 10, the city’s highest tropical cyclone alert, before downgrading it as Wipha moved westward and weakened.

Authorities in Guangdong evacuated more than 440 000 people ahead of the storm. Wind gusts reached 167 km/h (104 mph), and over 110 mm (4.3 inches) of rain fell in under three hours.

Widespread disruptions included the suspension of high-speed rail lines, ferry services, and bridge closures across the Pearl River Delta.

Bamboo scaffolding collapsed in several coastal cities, and numerous trees were uprooted. Public parks, schools, and tourist sites in cities such as Zhuhai and Shenzhen were closed as a precaution.

Public transportation in Hong Kong, including ferries and airport services, was significantly disrupted while Hong Kong Disneyland and schools suspended operations.

As of 15:00 UTC on July 20, the center of Tropical Storm Wipha was located about about 606 km (375 miles) east of Hanoi, Vietnam, moving westward at 26 km/h (16 mph).

Maximum sustained winds were estimated at 110 km/h (68 mph), with a significant wave height of 7.3 m (24 feet). The system’s low-level circulation center is currently assessed to be over land but may soon re-emerge over water, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).

Forecast models agree that Wipha will track along or just inland of the southern Chinese coastline before briefly moving over the northern Gulf of Tonkin.

The environmental setup in the gulf, characterized by sea surface temperatures of 30–31°C (86–88°F) and moderate equatorward outflow, could permit brief re-intensification or stabilization of wind strength. However, the JTWC notes that increasing northeasterly vertical wind shear will likely prevent significant strengthening.

Vietnamese authorities expect the landfall to occur late on July 22, likely affecting provinces from Quảng Ninh to Nghệ An. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has warned of localized rainfall totals between 500–600 mm (20–24 inches), alongside widespread totals of 200–350 mm (8–14 inches).

Coastal areas may experience wind gusts of 103–183 km/h (64–114 mph), with rising risk of flash flooding and landslides in upland and riverine terrain. Reservoir operators have begun preemptive discharges to manage flood volume.

The JTWC anticipates rapid weakening following Vietnam landfall, with terrain-induced disruption leading to dissipation of the low-level vortex within 72–96 hours. Forecast confidence remains medium for track and low for intensity due to uncertainties in land interaction and reintensification potential. Numerical models diverge in forward speed estimates, with deterministic GFS predicting faster landfall than NAVGEM.

Prior to striking China, Wipha enhanced the southwest monsoon across Luzon, Philippines, triggering heavy rain and flooding. At least four fatalities were reported, and two people remain missing. In Taiwan, gusts reached 126 km/h (78 mph) and rainfall exceeded 200 mm (8 inches) in some areas, causing flight and ferry cancellations.

A separate marine disaster occurred in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, where a tourist vessel capsized amid sudden storm conditions. Although the link to Wipha is under investigation, the timing coincided with the system’s approach.

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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