Typhoon Wipha is currently wreaking havoc across Vietnam causing widespread panic among locals. Heavy rainfall and ominous dark clouds paint grim picture across nation. Al Jazeera reports fears of typhoon causing significant devastation in Vietnam’s northern coastal regions.
Storm’s impact first felt on July 21st in Philippines where torrential rains and floods resulted in at least five deaths and displaced thousands. Overflowing Marikina River forced the closure of schools, government offices in Manila and surrounding areas.
Prior to Vietnam, Typhoon Wipha unleashed severe disruption in Hong Kong. Dark clouds enveloped the sky as the storm brought widespread instability. On Sunday, July 20th, the highest typhoon alert issued.
According to the Vietnamese meteorological department, as of 6 AM local time on July 22nd, Typhoon Wipha positioned merely 60 kilometers off the coast of Haiphong city, with intense winds. The typhoon forecast to hit Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, along with Hung Yen and Ninh Binh provinces, on the night of July 22nd. Up to 500 millimeters of rainfall anticipated, raising concerns about dangerous landslides and extensive flooding.
In preparation for the typhoon’s onslaught, approximately 305,000 government officials and employees are on standby. Life in Manila has come to a near standstill due to the heavy downpour. Over 23,000 residents living along the Marikina River have been moved to safer locations. Additionally, another 25,000 people have been relocated from Quezon and Caloocan cities.
In a tragic incident in Caloocan an older people woman and her driver swept away by strong currents while attempting to cross a bridge. They remain missing. National Disaster Management Agency reports at least seven people currently unaccounted for due to the floods.
Read more: Typhoon Weipa Triggers Massive Air Traffic Chaos in Hong Kong
Philippines experiences an average of 20 typhoons annually. However, due to climate change, the intensity and destructive power of these storms are steadily increasing. Earlier this year Super Typhoon Yagi which struck Vietnam claimed approximately 300 lives and caused an estimated $3.3 billion USD in damages.
