Disruption to travel as Typhoon Wipha forces Thai Airways to cancel flights to Hong Kong and Guangzhou.
Typhoon Wipha Causes Widespread Flight Disruptions in Hong Kong and Guangzhou
Typhoon Wipha, a powerful tropical storm, has caused significant disruptions to flights and travel in Hong Kong and Guangzhou on July 20-21, 2025. The storm prompted Hong Kong's highest storm alert and widespread travel disruption.
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced the cancellation of numerous flights on routes to and from Hong Kong and Guangzhou during this period. Flights affected included TG600, TG628, TG638, TG602 from Bangkok to Hong Kong on July 20, as well as TG668 outbound and TG669 inbound between Bangkok and Guangzhou.
Hong Kong International Airport saw over 90% of inbound and outbound flights cancelled, with the remaining operations facing delays of at least 4-5 hours. Flag carrier Cathay Pacific suspended all flights between 5 am and 6 pm, offering free rebooking for affected passengers.
Public transport services, including ferries, were largely suspended during the peak of the storm due to severe weather conditions and high sea swells caused by Typhoon Wipha.
In Guangzhou and throughout Guangdong province, Typhoon Wipha caused severe weather impacts, including strong winds and heavy rain that paralyzed traffic and forced the evacuation of around 670,000 residents. Airports in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Hong Kong saw extensive flight cancellations and delays starting from the afternoon of July 19 and continuing through July 20. Key transport links such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link were temporarily closed for safety.
By late July 20, as the typhoon moved inland, Hong Kong downgraded the storm warning from T10 to T8 and then to T3, signaling that the worst conditions were passing. However, disruptions continued in the aftermath of the storm.
Passengers are advised to check flight status and arrangements carefully during this period. It is expected that Typhoon Wipha will continue to affect flights on routes to and from South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China during July 20-21, 2025.
- International politics and general news were dominated by Typhoon Wipha, which caused widespread flight disruptions in Southeast Asia, such as in Hong Kong and Guangzhou; Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced numerous flight cancellations to these cities.
- In the realm of sports, several sports events might have been affected due to the severe weather conditions brought about by Typhoon Wipha, potentially leading to cancellation or postponement of matches, especially in South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China during July 20-21, 2025.
- Crime and justice might have accelerated during the typhoon-struck period, as residents in Guangzhou and Guangdong province were displaced from their homes due to evacuations and faced incredibly challenging circumstances.
- Travelers planning to visit the affected regions during the storm should be mindful of the unpredictable weather patterns, as Typhoon Wipha disrupted both flights and public transport services — including ferries — causing significant delays and disruptions, and potentially affecting their travel plans.
