At 10 p.m., the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that Typhoon Wipha was approximately 80 km from Quang Ninh, 180 km from Hai Phong, 190 km from Hung Yen, and 220 km from Ninh Binh. The typhoon packed winds of 102 km/h near its center, equivalent to a category 10 storm, with gusts reaching category 13 levels. It is moving west-southwest at about 10 km/h.

The storm's impact is already being felt. Bach Long Vi island experienced winds of category 8 with gusts reaching category 10. Co To and Cat Ba (Cat Hai district) recorded category 6 winds and category 8 gusts. Cua Ong faced category 9 winds and category 10 gusts, while Quang Ha experienced category 8 winds and Mong Cai category 6 with gusts up to category 8.

Projected path and impact zone of Typhoon Wipha. Photo: Disaster Monitoring System

Projected path and impact zone of Typhoon Wipha. Photo: Disaster Monitoring System

By 10 a.m. tomorrow, the typhoon is forecast to be over the waters from Quang Ninh to Ninh Binh, with maximum sustained winds of category 11 and gusts up to category 14. It is then expected to make landfall between Hai Phong and Thanh Hoa, gradually weakening to category 8 with gusts up to category 10 by 10 p.m.

The Japan Meteorological Agency predicts the typhoon will maintain winds of 108 km/h (category 11) while over the waters from Quang Ninh to Thanh Hoa, decreasing to 90 km/h (category 10) upon landfall between Hai Phong and Thanh Hoa. The Hong Kong Observatory projects the typhoon will maintain its intensity at 105 km/h upon landfall in the same region.

At a briefing on Typhoon Wipha on the evening of 21/7, Mai Van Khiem, Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, said that since early this afternoon, the typhoon has tracked further south and become better organized. Based on the current trajectory, the typhoon will continue to intensify to high-end category 10, low-end category 11 before approaching the coast.

Satellite image of Typhoon Wipha's cloud cover at 8 p.m. Photo: Hydrometeorological Bureau

Satellite image of Typhoon Wipha's cloud cover at 8 p.m. Photo: Hydrometeorological Bureau

Khiem stated that landfall is anticipated between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. tomorrow in the area between southern Hai Phong and northern Thanh Hoa. Quang Ninh will be the first impacted tomorrow morning, with coastal winds of category 9-10 and inland winds of category 7-8. Coastal areas of Hai Phong and Hung Yen (formerly Thai Binh) are expected to experience winds of category 9-10, gusting to category 13-14. Ninh Binh's coast will see winds of category 8-9, gusting to category 13. The coast of Thanh Hoa (primarily in the north) is forecast to have winds of category 7-8, gusting to category 8-9. Hanoi can expect winds of category 5-6, gusting to category 7-8.

From noon to this evening, several locations recorded nearly 200 mm of rain. However, Khiem noted this is not the peak, and rainfall will increase. Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, southern Phu Tho (formerly Hoa Binh), Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An are expected to see 200-350 mm, with some areas receiving over 600 mm. Other areas of northern Vietnam and Ha Tinh will also experience 100-200 mm of rain, with some areas exceeding 300 mm.

From now until the end of tomorrow, the meteorological agency warns of a very high risk of landslides and flash floods in 24 communes in Thanh Hoa, 50 communes in Nghe An, and three communes in Son La. Khiem emphasized that the mountainous regions of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, even after 23/7, when the typhoon weakens into a low-pressure area in Upper Laos, remain at high risk of landslides and flash floods due to several rivers flowing from Laos.

Wind strength and equivalent impact warning. Graphics: Minh Thu

Wind strength and equivalent impact warning. Graphics: Minh Thu

Heavy rains are also expected to cause flooding in rivers across northern Vietnam, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An, with water levels rising 3-6 m from tonight until 25/7. Small rivers, the Thao River, and the upper reaches of the Ma River may reach alert levels two and three. The Lo, Da, Cau, Thuong, Luc Nam, Hoang Long rivers, and the upper reaches of the Ca River are forecast to reach alert levels one and two, with some areas exceeding alert level two. The lower reaches of the Red River and Thai Binh River are below alert level one, while the lower reaches of the Ma River and Ca River will fluctuate around alert level one.

Furthermore, storm surges of 0.5-1 m are expected along the coasts of Hung Yen and Quang Ninh. Water levels at Ba Lat (Hung Yen) are predicted to reach 2.4-2.6 m, Hon Dau (Hai Phong) 3.9-4.3 m, Cua Ong (Quang Ninh) 4.6-5 m, and Tra Co (Quang Ninh) 3.6-4 m. There is a high risk of flooding in coastal areas and river mouths on the afternoon of 22/7.

Gia Chinh