In an official dispatch issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment called on People’s Committees of provinces and cities in the northern region and along the coast from Quang Ninh to Dak Lak to closely monitor the storm’s developments and be ready to respond. 

According to the dispatch, storm Wipha entered the East Sea on Saturday morning, intensifying into a level-9 storm with wind gusts reaching level 12. 

Hoang Phuc Lam, Deputy Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, said the storm is expected to affect mainland Vietnam from Tuesday morning, bringing strong winds to coastal areas and, more notably, widespread heavy rainfall across the northern and north-central regions.

“In some areas, rainfall could reach 150mm in just three hours, significantly increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides in the northern mountainous provinces as well as in Thanh Hoa and Nghe An,” he said. 

To minimise potential damage, local authorities have been instructed to strictly manage vessels at sea, and enforce safety protocols, and ensure the readiness of rescue forces and equipment.