Tropical storm Wipha set to reach Vietnamese shores on Tuesday, forecasting significant rainfall in Thailand in the upcoming days.
Tropical Storm Wipha to Bring Severe Weather to Southeast Asia
Tropical Storm Wipha, currently located over Zhanjiang City in Guangdong province, China, is forecast to bring heavy rain, strong winds, flooding, and landslides to Cambodia and surrounding regions, including northern and central Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, and parts of India, between July 21 and 24, 2025.
As the storm moves westward along the Chinese coastline toward the Gulf of Tonkin, it is expected to weaken but will still enhance the southwest monsoon, causing extensive rainfall and severe weather impacts in the affected areas.
In Vietnam, Wipha is expected to make landfall between northern provinces and Nghe An, bringing winds of level 6–7 (gusts 8–9) and heavy rains causing flooding and landslides, especially in northeastern, northwest, and north-central parts.
Cambodia, lying south of Vietnam and Laos, is likely to experience heavy to torrential rainfall along with increased winds as the storm system moves west-southwestward. Nearby Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, and eastern India will also face significant precipitation (70–200 mm, with some areas exceeding 300 mm) and risks of secondary disasters such as floods and mudslides.
The regional impact is accentuated by the strong southwest monsoon enhancement triggered by Wipha, which has already caused severe flooding, landslides, and casualties in the Philippines and parts of South China prior to this.
Authorities across the affected countries have been mobilizing for disaster risk management to mitigate consequences on infrastructure, agriculture, and communities. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned of heavy to very heavy rain from July 22 to 24 in Thailand and has urged residents in at-risk zones to prepare for possible evacuations and to closely monitor official weather updates. The TMD has also advised all vessels to navigate with caution, and strictly warned small boats to remain ashore during this period.
In summary, Tropical Storm Wipha's current trajectory and intensity trends indicate substantial weather hazards over Cambodia and its surrounding regions mainly through heavy monsoon rains, strong winds, possible flooding, and landslides from late July 2025. Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
Environmental scientists are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Wipha's progress, considering its potential impact on climate-change patterns due to the extensive rainfall it will cause. The weather predictions suggest that the storm will not only bring severe weather to Southeast Asia but also contribute to the ongoing climate-change discussion in the realm of environmental-science.
