VOV.VN - Typhoon Wipha, Vietnam’s third storm of the year, weakened into a tropical depression on the evening of July 22 after sweeping through northern and north-central provinces, triggering intense rainfall and heightening the risk of flash floods and landslides.

Severe storm Wipha to hit Vietnam today as heavy rain and strong winds batter Thailand. Flash floods and 4m waves expected in coastal areas. BANGKOK — Thailand is expected to experience heavy rainfall,

Tropical storm Wipha was set to cross Vietnam's northern coastline on Tuesday morning, with almost 350,000 soldiers on standby as the state weather agency forecast up to 50 cm (20 inches) of rainfall that could cause flooding and mudslides.

PANO - On July 21, the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army sent a dispatch to all agencies and units in the military to carry out comprehensive measures to respond to typhoon Wipha.

Typhoon Wipha has toppled trees and caused major flight disruptions in Hong Kong and at some nearby airports in China as it moved west off the country’s southern coast.

Typhoon Wipha started building up over the South China Sea before hitting Hong Kong, Taiwan and China, and making its way towards Vietnam. Video credit: CSU/CIRA & JMA/JAXA

The thunderstorm came so suddenly that it overturned the boat within seconds, said two survivors of the shipwreck which killed at least 35 people in Vietnam's top tourist spot of Halong Bay and left another four missing.

The death toll from a tourist boat accident in Vietnam’s Halong Bay climbed to at least 38 with several people still missing, the government said, as rescuers continued to search for survivors while bracing for the approach of Typhoon Wipha.