SAEDNEWS: Typhoon Wipha has made landfall in northern Vietnam, prompting large-scale emergency preparedness, after deadly floods and heavy rain in the Philippines left at least five dead and thousands displaced.
Typhoon Wipha struck Vietnam's northern coast on Tuesday after passing near the Philippines, where days of torrential rain triggered severe flooding and landslides.
According to Vietnam’s National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the storm was located 60km from Haiphong City at 6am local time, moving southwest at 15 kph with sustained winds reaching 102 kph.
Authorities reported no casualties or damage in Vietnam as of Tuesday morning.
However, officials warned of dangerous flash floods and landslides due to expected rainfall of up to 500mm across the northern provinces.
Roughly 350,000 military personnel have been placed on alert to support emergency response operations if required.
The storm is forecast to weaken into a tropical depression by Tuesday night after making landfall in the provinces of Hung Yen and Ninh Binh, both located south of Hanoi.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, the effects of Wipha were more severe.
Floodwaters surged through parts of Metro Manila following relentless rain, prompting the evacuation of more than 48,000 residents from high-risk areas.
Marikina River overflowed on Monday night, inundating nearby communities and forcing thousands into temporary shelters such as schools and barangay halls.
In Caloocan City, an elderly woman and her driver went missing after their vehicle was swept away by floodwaters while attempting to cross a bridge, according to local emergency official John Paul Nietes.
“Their car was recovered last night. The rescue operation is continuing, but as of today, they haven’t found either of them,” Nietes said.
The Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council confirmed that five people had died and at least five others were injured, while seven remained missing.
Each year, roughly 20 tropical storms or typhoons affect the Philippines, disproportionately impacting vulnerable communities.
Climate experts warn that such storms are intensifying as global temperatures rise.
Earlier this year, Super Typhoon Yagi killed approximately 300 people in Vietnam and caused an estimated $3.3 billion in damages.
