Storm No. 3 is very strong and complicated, do not be subjective when responding.

Storm No. 3 (Storm Wipha) is very strong and has complicated developments; localities must immediately review key areas at risk of being affected by the storm, promptly update and adjust response plans, and avoid subjectivity in prevention and control work.

That was the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha when chairing a meeting with more than 1,700 communes and wards in the Northern and North Central regions on July 20 to direct response to storm No. 3.

Forecast of direct impact from Quang Ninh - Thanh Hoa

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, on July 20, storm No. 3 strengthened to level 12, and is forecast to continue to strengthen to level 13 before weakening when entering the Gulf of Tonkin on July 21 and is likely to directly affect mainland Vietnam.

Nghe An Province Border Guard forces stationed on the sea route support fishermen in tying boats to safe storm shelters.

PHOTO: VNA

A tree falls on a car due to Typhoon Wipha in Hong Kong on July 20.

PHOTO: AP

Forecast of storm path number 3

PHOTO: NCHMF

Prime Minister requests urgent response to storm No. 3

On July 20, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed and issued Official Dispatch No. 117/CD-TTg on urgently implementing emergency response to storm No. 3 (storm Wipha).

The dispatch stated: Currently, storm No. 3 is active in the North East Sea, with very strong intensity (level 12, gusts of level 15). This is a strong, fast-moving storm. According to the forecast of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the storm will affect the North and North Central regions from the evening of July 21, causing strong winds, heavy rain, high risk of flash floods, landslides in the midlands and mountainous areas, and flooding in low-lying areas and urban areas.

Following the Official Dispatch No. 112/CD-TTg dated July 19, 2025, the Prime Minister requested the Ministers of the Ministries of National Defense, Public Security, Agriculture and Rural Development and ministries, branches and localities within the scope of influence of the storm to continue to focus on directing the timely implementation of storm and flood response work according to the direction of the Prime Minister in Official Dispatch No. 112/CD-TTg dated July 19, 2025 with the most urgent and drastic spirit to ensure the safety of life and property of the people and the State, minimizing the damage caused by the storm...

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam, and Vietnam News Agency are assigned to strengthen direction and timely report on the storm's developments, and guide people on prevention, response, and damage reduction skills.

The Prime Minister assigned Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to directly monitor and direct ministries, branches and localities to implement this dispatch.

VNA

Central Youth Union deploys youth volunteers to respond to emergency storm No. 3

The Central Youth Union Secretariat issued an official dispatch requesting the Standing Committees of provincial and municipal youth unions and affiliated youth unions to urgently and synchronously deploy solutions to respond to storm No. 3.

The Central Youth Union directed the provinces and cities directly affected by storm No. 3 to develop and implement specific storm and flood response plans and clearly assign people, tasks, and locations; and maintain 24/7 on-call duty.

In particular, the Central Youth Union requested to deploy local forces, activate youth shock troops in key communes and wards; coordinate the evacuation of residents, reinforce works, support the relocation of assets; review vulnerable points such as dams, low-lying areas, areas at risk of landslides; organize logistics teams at evacuation points, support the care of the elderly, children, and vulnerable people; mobilize resources to provide clean water, meals, and essential items; coordinate support for fishermen and coastal areas.

Together with the local authorities, notify and guide boats to safe shelters; support families in securing their houses and protecting their property. The Central Youth Union also directs the Green Summer Student Volunteer Team to focus on overcoming the consequences of storms and floods to ensure safety and maximize effectiveness.

For provinces and cities that are not directly affected by storm No. 3, it is necessary to proactively monitor and organize response forces at the grassroots level; monitor weather forecasts and promptly inform union members and youth. Direct the grassroots union to adjust and temporarily suspend outdoor activities in high-risk areas.

In addition, strengthen propaganda - warning - guidance on storm prevention skills. Provincial and municipal youth unions mobilize and organize forces ready to support through the establishment of "4 on-site" youth volunteer teams at the grassroots level; equip volunteers with basic knowledge and skills; coordinate with functional units to prepare means and materials, and be ready to support when requested.

Vu Tho

The storm circulation tends to shift to the west and south, so the area of influence is very wide. It is forecasted that the provinces in the eastern, northwestern regions of the North and north central regions will be affected by the storm circulation. In particular, the areas directly affected and most impacted by the storm include: Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, coastal provinces of Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa.

Mr. Hoang Duc Cuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Hydrometeorology (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), said that from the evening of July 21, the coastal waters from Quang Ninh to Thanh Hoa will have strong winds of level 7-9, with waves of 3-5 m high. Big waves combined with high tides can cause flooding in low-lying areas along the coast of Quang Ninh - Hai Phong, especially at noon and afternoon on July 21-23.

Nghe An Province Border Guard forces assist fishermen in tying boats at storm shelters on July 20.

PHOTO: VNA

In particular, storm No. 3 will cause heavy rain in the next 3 days in the Northern and North Central provinces. Rain is forecast to start from July 21-23, with the Northeastern provinces, the Northern Delta, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An having rainfall ranging from 200-350 mm, with some places having over 600 mm. Other provinces in the North and Ha Tinh will have rainfall ranging from 100-200 mm, with some places having over 300 mm.

At the meeting, the leader of the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee said that he had issued a ban on going to sea from 11am on July 20, requiring boats and tourist ships to take shelter in safe areas; assigned provincial leaders to inspect key areas to ensure safety for tourists, aquaculture and fishing areas, coal mines, etc.

In addition, Thanh Hoa province is ready to evacuate nearly 170,000 people when a red alert is issued, establish 166 shock teams in 166 communes, and strictly control boats and aquaculture areas. Nghe An ensures the safety of 1,061 dams, prepares plans to prevent landslides, and ensures smooth communication in 121 communes.

Storm No. 3 Wipha is only more than 200 km from Quang Ninh

Detailed forecasts for people to proactively respond

Directing the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized that storm No. 3 is very strong, has complex developments, moves quickly, but has a long stop time near the mainland, increasing the risk of damage when it makes landfall. Localities should immediately review key areas at risk of being affected by the storm, promptly update and adjust response plans.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested that specialized agencies provide full and accurate information, correctly assess the complexity and danger of the storm, and avoid subjectivity in prevention and control work. Warnings are issued for areas with heavy rain , high risk of flooding, flash floods, landslides (especially in the west of Thanh Hoa and the north of Nghe An) to proactively evacuate people from dangerous areas.

"In addition to providing professional data and technical terms, it is necessary to explain clearly and easily so that people can grasp the specifics. If the wind is strong enough, trees can fall, the roof of a level 4 house can be blown off, people on the street can be swept away by the wind, vehicles can be blown away... Only then can people clearly visualize the level of danger and proactively prevent it," the Deputy Prime Minister noted.

Typhoon Wipha causes major impacts in many places

As of yesterday, Typhoon Wipha has had a major impact on countries and territories in the region. According to AP, the storm swept through the Philippines and parts of Taiwan on July 19. In the Philippines, at least one person was killed, about 370,000 people were affected, more than 400 houses were destroyed, while in Taiwan, the storm caused heavy rain and affected flights of many airlines.

The typhoon hit Hong Kong yesterday morning, with gusts of up to 234 km/h. The Hong Kong Observatory issued its highest level of typhoon warning, the first since super typhoon Saola in September 2023, according to the South China Morning Post . Hong Kong authorities said that as of last night, at least 26 people were injured and more than 470 trees were downed. Activities then gradually resumed in Hong Kong after Typhoon Wipha passed through and headed towards the mainland. However, the Observatory still issued a red rainstorm warning, predicting that heavy rain from the typhoon could reach 50 mm/h.

In mainland China, the authorities of Guangdong and Hainan provinces raised their alert levels to the highest level, according to Xinhua. In Zhuhai, Guangdong province, public transportation, schools and businesses were suspended, while residents were advised to stay indoors. Hainan province raised its flood emergency response level on the morning of July 20 as rainstorms are expected to hit the island from July 20 to 22.

Tam Minh

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bao-so-3-rat-manh-va-phuc-tap-khong-chu-quan-khi-ung-pho-185250720233706799.htm