Heavy rain forecast to batter Hai Phong from this afternoon

Storm Wipha is moving directly from the Gulf of Tonkin toward Vietnam’s mainland, according to the Hai Phong Hydro-Meteorological Station.

As of 10 am on July 21, the storm’s center was located at approximately 21.2°N latitude and 109.6°E longitude, about 310 km east of Hai Phong city.

Maximum sustained winds near the center reached level 9 (75 – 88 km/h), with gusts up to level 11. The storm is predicted to make landfall tonight or early tomorrow morning (July 22).

Under the influence of the storm's circulation, rain has already been recorded in both maritime and mainland areas of Hai Phong since the afternoon of July 20. At present, Bach Long Vi island is experiencing heavy rain and strong gusts reaching level 9, with very rough seas.

Coastal areas of the city, including Cat Hai, Cat Ba, and Hon Dau islands, are also experiencing rain. Wind speeds there are currently at level 3, and no strong gusts have been reported yet.

From 1 pm this afternoon until the end of July 23, heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast to hit the entire mainland area of Hai Phong. Rain is expected to be continuous, gradually spreading from east to west.

Nearshore waters and coastal wards and communes are forecast to see gusts reaching level 4 – 5 from this afternoon, increasing to level 6 – 7 at night. Western parts of the city will likely experience level 5 winds with gusts reaching level 6 – 7 starting tonight.

Total rainfall from this afternoon until the end of July 23 is projected at 150 – 250 mm in the eastern region and 100 – 200 mm in the western region of Hai Phong city.

TIEN MANH