As of 13:00 on 18 July, the center of Typhoon WIPHA was located at approximately 18.3°N, 123.5°E, over the northeastern waters of Luzon Island (Philippines). The maximum sustained winds near the center were at level 8–9 (62–88 km/h), gusting to level 11. The storm was moving northwest at around 30 km/h. Forecasts indicate that the typhoon will enter the East Sea of Viet Nam on the morning of 19 July with intensity at level 8–9, gusting to level 11. It is expected to approach the northern Gulf of Tonkin by the evening of 21 July and may affect the northern region of Viet Nam on 22 July.
At 13:00 on 18 July, the water level at the Hoa Binh Reservoir was recorded at 102.94 meters, with three spillway gates open to reduce the level to 101 meters (maximum pre-flood level for the official flood season from 20 July to 21 August). The Tuyen Quang Reservoir was at 104.98 meters with one spillway gate open, which was scheduled to be closed by 15:00 the same day. Water levels at Son La and Thac Ba reservoirs remained below the maximum pre-flood thresholds.
According to the Standing Office of the Border Guard Command on Civil Defense, Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue, as of midday 18 July, information and guidance had been disseminated to 35,183 vessels with 147,336 crew members. Of these, 790 vessels with 4,160 laborers were operating in the northern East Sea of Viet Nam and around the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago. Currently, no vessels are reported in the northeastern sector of the northern East Sea — the area expected to be most affected by the storm.
The total aquaculture area in coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Thanh Hoa is approximately 126,583 hectares, including 52,854 hectares of brackish-water shrimp farming, 21,587 hectares of mollusk farming, and 53,083 hectares of freshwater aquaculture. Additionally, there are 19,099 fish cages and 3,693 aquaculture watch huts potentially exposed to the impacts of the typhoon and subsequent flooding.
According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, if the storm veers north and moves along the Guangxi coast (China), its impact on Viet Nam may be reduced. However, should it make landfall closer to Viet Nam, strong winds, heavy rainfall, and extreme weather phenomena such as tornadoes, lightning, flash floods, and landslides are likely.
Forecast models currently show Typhoon WIPHA following a similar path and nature to Typhoon Yagi (Typhoon No. 3) in 2024. Localities in potentially affected areas must closely monitor developments and prepare appropriate response plans, especially in the context of prolonged heavy rainfall.
One concerning factor is that the typhoon is moving over an area of the East Sea with very high sea surface temperatures, which could cause rapid intensification. Typhoon WIPHA is therefore assessed as a strong storm with rapid movement and a wide area of impact.
Speaking at the meeting, Vice Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep noted that although the wind intensity may not be extreme, the expected rainfall will be substantial. He urged ministries, agencies, and localities to strictly guide vessels to evacuate the danger zone and ensure safety in tourist areas and aquaculture zones. Given the relatively full reservoir levels in northern Viet Nam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has directed dam operators to discharge floodwaters to bring reservoirs down to safe levels, and to strictly follow reservoir operation procedures to avoid emergency situations similar to the incident at Thac Ba Hydropower Reservoir in 2024. He also requested localities to urgently implement landslide and inundation prevention measures.
Currently, the coastal and estuary dyke systems in provinces from Quang Ninh to Thanh Hoa have 20 critical points and seven ongoing construction projects. Immediate repairs are needed for recently damaged dykes. A comprehensive review of dyke infrastructure and dyke protection plans must be conducted, and personnel, materials, equipment, and resources must be prepositioned for timely deployment in accordance with the “four-on-the-spot” principle.
This is the first storm to strike since the two-tiered local government system came into operation, placing significant demands on the proactiveness of local authorities, especially at commune level, in implementing early and remote response measures to ensure public safety and minimize losses.
Typhoon WIPHA is expected to have complex movements, and its impact area on Viet Nam’s mainland may change significantly. Therefore, the public and local authorities must follow updates closely from the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting and implement response plans accordingly.
