Tropical Storm Wipha, which was recently downgraded from typhoon status, has wreaked havoc in Nghe An province, northern Vietnam, leaving three people dead and forcing the displacement of thousands due to severe flooding.
Widespread Flooding and Damage
The storm dumped up to 250mm of rain, submerging over 3,700 homes, inundating farmland, and destroying crops across the region. Rescue teams are racing to reach stranded families, while authorities have set up emergency shelters for those displaced by rising waters.
Local officials warn that the true scale of the damage is still being assessed, with some remote villages cut off due to landslides and washed-out roads.
Storm’s Deadly Trail Across Southeast Asia
Before reaching Vietnam, Wipha had already claimed five lives in the Philippines, prompting mass evacuations in Manila and surrounding areas. The storm’s powerful winds and torrential rains disrupted daily life and overwhelmed drainage systems in multiple provinces.
Ongoing Threats
Although Wipha has weakened, the Vietnamese Meteorological Agency continues to warn of potential landslides and flash floods in the mountainous regions of northern Vietnam in the coming days. Residents have been urged to remain alert and heed evacuation orders as more rainfall is expected.
With monsoon season in full swing, Southeast Asia remains on edge as the region braces for further extreme weather events.