Latest news with #StormWipha
The Star
a day ago
- Climate
- The Star
Flood alert for Vientiane as Mekong nears danger mark
The Mekong River in Sisattanak district, Vientiane, rises after days of heavy rain. - VT VIENTIANE: The Mekong River in Vientiane is expected to reach flood level on July 30, following days of heavy rain driven by a strong low-pressure system and the southwest monsoon, according to the Mekong River Commission. Water levels at the Km4 hydrological station in Sisattanak district, along with the Nong Khai and Pakse stations, reached alarm levels on July 29 and are forecast to continue rising. From July 30 to Aug 3, the river is likely to reach the flood level in Vientiane and in Nong Khai, which is a few kilometres downstream in Thailand. The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology said persistent rainfall, thunderstorms and occasional strong winds will persist across the country. River levels at other stations in Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Khong Chiam, Pakse and Stung Treng are also projected to approach or exceed alarm levels in the coming days. According to the department's latest report, several rivers have already risen past or near warning thresholds. In Bolikhamxay province, the Kading River was measured at 13.55 metres in Paksan district, just above the warning level of 13.5m. In Savannakhet province, the Xechamphon River measured 7.77m in Champhon district, close to the flood level of 8m. In Salavan, the Xedon River rose to 10.76m in Khongxedon district, above the 10m warning level, while in Champasak province, the Mekong was measured at 10.84 metres in Pakse, nearing the flood warning threshold of 11m. Authorities are advising people living near rivers and in low-lying areas to remain vigilant, as continuous rainfall could lead to more flash floods or prolonged inundation over the next one to two days. The warning comes as Laos is still reeling from damage caused by Storm Wipha, which brought strong winds and heavy rainfall to northern and central provinces last week. The National Disaster Management Committee and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare reported that four people died, six others were injured, and four people remain missing as a result of the storm. The storm passed through 34 districts and 262 villages, affecting nearly 15,000 households. A total of 2,249 houses were impacted, including 183 that were completely destroyed. Floodwaters also damaged 2,000 hectares of farmland, power lines, schools, roads, irrigation systems, health centres and vehicles. In Khammuan province, people affected by flooding in Khounkham district are in urgent need of rice, drinking water, dried food and medicine. Local disaster response teams are assisting with evacuations and providing boats to move residents and their belongings to safer areas. - Vientiane Times/ANN
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Foreign Office issues travel warning for Vietnam as tropical storm approaches
Travellers to Vietnam have been warned to 'expect travel disruption' as a tropical storm approaches tourist hotspots on its northern coast. Storm Wipha is forecast to bring heavy rain, strong winds and flooding when it makes landfall on Tuesday. The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) advised in an update on Monday (21 July): 'Storm Wipha is approaching northern Vietnam, with landfall forecast for Tuesday 22 July. Areas including Ha Long Bay, Ha Noi and Ninh Binh are forecast to be affected.' It added that travellers should expect 'heavy rainfall, strong winds, flooding, and mudslides' in affected areas following the storm's landfall. 'You should expect travel disruption and should follow advice from local authorities,' said the FCDO. According to local outlet VN Express, as of 7am on Monday, Wipha was travelling with maximum sustained winds measured at 55mph and gusts of up to 73mph. Airlines including Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, Vietjet Air and regional airline VASCO have cancelled some flights on Monday and Tuesday as Wipha approaches. Vietnam's National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said: 'There are scattered showers and thunderstorms, especially in the Northwest. There is a possibility of tornadoes during thunderstorms.' It added that in the northwest, wind gusts could reach level 10 with rough seas and a wave height up to five metres. The typhoon is expected to weaken into a 'tropical depression over Laos' by Wednesday, reported VN Express. The national disaster risk level is set at Level 3 with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính issuing an emergency directive for local authorities to prepare for the storm, the outlet added. Wipha is the third tropical storm to affect Vietnam this year. On Sunday, the storm swept southern China with strong winds and heavy rain after crossing the Philippines and Taiwan. At least 35 people died after a tourist boat capsized in Vietnam on Saturday as rescue workers raced to find survivors ahead of the arrival of the tropical storm. The vessel with an estimated 49 people on board capsized in a sudden thunderstorm during a tour of Ha Long Bay, in one of the worst accidents in the popular tourist area in recent years.
Metro
21-07-2025
- Climate
- Metro
Typhoon Wipha sweeps people off their feet as storm makes landfall across Asia
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video People across Asia have been battling blustery gales, landslides, flooding and heavy rain after Storm Wipha caused havoc across the region. Vietnam is the latest country set to brace for the extreme weather after the tropical storm battered Hong Kong, southern parts of China and the Philippines. The Foreign Office issued advice on Monday for UK nationals in Vietnam to 'expect heavy rainfall, strong winds, flooding, and mudslides'. The storm has been forecast to reach Ha Long Bay, Hanoi and Ninh Binh on Tuesday. Five people have died in the Philippines and a further seven people are missing, according to the country's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, following widespread flooding. Photos from the region show locals trawling through neck-deep water as roads remain flooded. The impact of Storm Wipha was first felt in Hong Kong on Sunday, causing school cancellations, grounding flights and felled trees. Images and videos on social media showed blustery gales, heavy rain and people being swept away by strong winds while others crawled against the gusts to battle the extreme weather. Now, the storm is set to reach parts of southern China and Vietnam on Monday and in to Tuesday. The Hong Kong Observatory issued a signal 10 for Storm Wipha – the forecaster's highest cyclone warning. Footage of the storm reaching southern China circulating online show black clouds rolling over the skyline as it makes landfall. The heavy rain and wind have been forecasted for many of China's coastal regions, including Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan and Fujian. More Trending China's national forecaster warned the storm is likely to spread across parts of south-east Asia, including Laos, central and northern Thailand, and Myanmar. Parts of south Asia, such as Bangladesh and eastern India, are likely to face torrential rain over the coming days, it said. The forecaster warned the extreme weather may impact infrastructure and transport, and there may be a risk of 'secondary disasters such as flooding, landslides, mudslides, and urban waterlogging'. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: All the places in the UK with flood alerts today MORE: Swathe of new thunderstorm and rain warnings announced covering much of UK MORE: Eight children among 38 dead as tourist boat capsizes at beauty spot
The Independent
21-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Updated travel advice for anyone visiting Vietnam
Storm Wipha is forecast to make landfall in northern Vietnam on Tuesday, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and potential flooding. The UK Foreign Office has warned travellers to expect significant disruption, advising adherence to local authority guidance. Key tourist areas such as Ha Long Bay, Ha Noi, and Ninh Binh are expected to be affected as Wipha brings gusts up to 73mph. Airlines, including Vietnam Airlines, have cancelled flights on Monday and Tuesday in anticipation of the storm. Vietnam's Prime Minister has issued an emergency directive, setting the national disaster risk level at Level 3, following a recent boat capsizing incident that killed 35 people.
The Independent
21-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Foreign Office issue travel warning for Vietnam as tropical storm approaches
Travellers to Vietnam have been warned to 'expect travel disruption' as a tropical storm approaches tourist hotspots on its northern coast. Storm Wipha is forecast to bring heavy rain, strong winds and flooding when it makes landfall on Tuesday. The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) advised in an update on Monday (21 July): 'Storm Wipha is approaching northern Vietnam, with landfall forecast for Tuesday 22 July. Areas including Ha Long Bay, Ha Noi and Ninh Binh are forecast to be affected.' It added that travellers should expect 'heavy rainfall, strong winds, flooding, and mudslides' in affected areas following the storm's landfall. 'You should expect travel disruption and should follow advice from local authorities,' said the FCDO. According to local outlet VN Express, as of 7am on Monday, Wipha was travelling with maximum sustained winds measured at 55mph and gusts of up to 73mph. Airlines including Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, Vietjet Air and regional airline VASCO have cancelled some flights on Monday and Tuesday as Wipha approaches. Vietnam's National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said: 'There are scattered showers and thunderstorms, especially in the Northwest. There is a possibility of tornadoes during thunderstorms.' It added that in the northwest, wind gusts could reach level 10 with rough seas and a wave height up to five metres. The typhoon is expected to weaken into a 'tropical depression over Laos' by Wednesday, reported VN Express. The national disaster risk level is set at Level 3 with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính issuing an emergency directive for local authorities to prepare for the storm, the outlet added. Wipha is the third tropical storm to affect Vietnam this year. On Sunday, the storm swept southern China with strong winds and heavy rain after crossing the Philippines and Taiwan. At least 35 people died after a tourist boat capsized in Vietnam on Saturday as rescue workers raced to find survivors ahead of the arrival of the tropical storm. The vessel with an estimated 49 people on board capsized in a sudden thunderstorm during a tour of Ha Long Bay, in one of the worst accidents in the popular tourist area in recent years.
