Floodwaters driven by torrential rains from Typhoon Wipha brought life in the Philippine capital to a halt on July 22 with tens of thousands evacuated from their homes and at least two people believed missing.

Flooding in Quezon, Philippines, following heavy rains triggered by Typhoon Wipha.

Schools and government offices in Manila and the surrounding provinces were closed after a night of rain that saw the region's Marikina River burst its banks.

More than 23,000 people living along the river were evacuated overnight, sheltering in schools, village halls and covered courtyards. Another 25,000 more were evacuated in the metropolitan area's Quezon and Caloocan cities.

Ongoing monsoon rains have killed at least three people and left another seven missing in the central and southern Philippines since Tropical Storm Wipha skirted the country on July 18, according to the Philippine’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

At least 20 storms or typhoons strike or come near the Philippines each year, with the country's poorest regions typically the hardest hit.

Vietnam Airline Group cancels flights as Typhoon Wipha nears

Vietnam Airlines Group has adjusted flights on July 21 and warned of potential delays through July 22 due to the approaching Typhoon Wipha, prioritising passenger and crew safety.

 

Close monitoring and timely response to Typhoon Wipha

On July 19, the Prime Minister issued Telegram No. 112/CD-TTg, directing ministries, sectors, and localities to focus efforts on responding to Storm No. 3 (Typhoon Wipha), which has entered the East Sea (South China Sea), bringing heavy rainfall and posing risks of flash floods, landslides, and inundation.

 

Coastal provinces ban vessels as storm Wipha nears Vietnam

Vietnam's coastal provinces have prohibited vessels from going out to sea as Storm Wipha barrels down and is expected to make landfall before Tuesday, bringing rough seas and heavy rains.

Deputy PM demands human lives safety as storm Wipha nears

Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha ordered round-the-clock operations across ministries, agencies, and local authorities, with decisions guided by hourly updates and three-hour forecasts from the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

 

Storm Wipha enters South China Sea, heads for northern Vietnam

Storm Wipha has entered the South China Sea and is gaining strength as it heads toward Vietnam’s northern coast, with landfall expected early next week.