Tourists heading to Southeast Asia this week have been issued a travel warning and advised to stay vigilant as the region braces for Severe Tropical Storm Wipha. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warned on Monday (July 21) that the typhoon is heading for northern Vietnam, bringing with it the threat of flooding and travel disruption. It is expected to make landfall on Tuesday (July 22).
Several tourist hotspots are set for a battering, with the tropical storm having already wreaked havoc in the early hours of this morning in southern China with winds of about 53 mph, according to the Thai Meteorological Department. Over the weekend, it hit Hong Kong, leaving 33 people injured and felling hundreds of trees. Now, popular areas including Ha Long Bay, Ha Noi, and Ninh Binh are next in line.
The FCDO said: “You should expect heavy rainfall, strong winds, flooding and mudslides in affected areas in the days after landfall.
“You should expect travel disruption and should follow advice from local authorities.”
Ahead of Storm Wipha, a number of flights in Vietnam have already been cancelled. Vietnam Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, announced on Monday that it would be cancelling several flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong, a major port city in northeastern Vietnan across from Cat Ba Island, including VN1188, VN7188, VN7189, VN7056, VN7057, VN1186, VN1187, to “ensure the safety of passengers and crew”.
Meanwhile, Pacific Airlines rescheduled flights BL6440 and BL6441, between Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong, to depart earlier than planned, while flights BL6520 and BL6521 on the same route have been cancelled.
On Tuesday, all flights operated by Vietnam Airlines Group, including Vietnam Airlines and Pacific Airlines, to and from Hai Phong will depart in the afternoon. The group said: “Vietnam Airlines Group regrets the schedule changes caused by this force majeure weather event and appreciates our passengers’ understanding.
“Flight times may continue to be adjusted depending on the storm’s progression. Updated information will be communicated via the airline’s official channels and passenger contact details provided in booking records.”
The new tropical storm is set to strike just days after a tourist boat carrying as many as 53 people capsized in stormy weather in Vietnam on Saturday (July 19). In the resultant rescue operation, at least 34 bodies – including children – were recovered from Ha Long Bay. 12 people have been rescued, according to reports.
Storm Wipha has already forced authorities in Hong Kong to erect temporary shelters, with around 277 people having sought refuge. There were also 286 reports to the Government’s 1823 Call Centre and the Fire Services Department, 425 reports of fallen trees and seven confirmed flooding cases received by the Drainage Services Department, according to a statement by the Hong Kong Government on Sunday.