Video: 400 flights affected, 22 killed as typhoon Wipha batters China, South Korea, Vietnam, Philippines
400 flights cancelled or delayed as 160 km/h winds knock people off their feet '
Manila: Wipha, a severe tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h, caused major disruptions in China, South Korea and Vietnam, after lashing north-eastern Philippines that left dozens of areas flooded.
Flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains linked to Wipha killed at least 22 people in South Korea and the Philippines.
Typhoon Wipha made landfall at around 5:50 pm pm on Sunday (July 20) along the coast of Taishan, South China’s Guangdong Province, with the maximum wind speed near its center reaching 33 metres per second.
It has brought strong winds and heavy rains to southern China’s coastal areas, including Guangdong Province, Macao and Hong Kong.
Flights cancelled/delayed
Widespread cancellation or delays – up to 400 flights were affected – at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and nearby airports (Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Macao).
Over 20 people were injured, while hundreds of trees were felled and 250+ residents were sheltered in storm centres in Hong Kong.
Wipha left 5 people dead in the Philippines.
As of July 21, 2025, here is the latest damage report, death toll, civil defense responses, and status of Typhoon Wipha in South Korea, Hong Kong, and Vietnam:
Hong Kong
Damage and impact: Typhoon Wipha caused major disruptions, including widespread cancellation or delays of all daytime flights at Hong Kong International Airport and nearby airports (Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Macao).
Trees were toppled, scaffolding damaged, and amusement parks such as Hong Kong Disneyland were closed.
Over 200 people sought shelter in public facilities amid the storm.
Death toll: No deaths were reported in Hong Kong due to Wipha.
Civil Defence Response: The Hong Kong Observatory raised the Hurricane Signal No. 10 (the highest alert level). Authorities closed amusement parks and activated public shelters.
Typhoon status & location: As of Sunday around noon, the eye of the typhoon was just south of Hong Kong with maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h (87 mph).
The storm was moving westward toward Macao and Zhuhai, and it weakened to a tropical storm after landfall in southern China but continues moving toward Vietnam, AP reported.
Vietnam
Damage and impact: The typhoon is forecast to cause heavy rains, flooding, and landslides across northern coastal provinces, including Quang Ninh and Ninh Binh.
It complicates search-and-rescue operations related to a tourist boat capsizing in Halong Bay over the weekend, which killed more than 30 people.
Airlines have cancelled multiple domestic flights and some international flights to South Korea ahead of Wipha’s landfall.
Death toll: The typhoon itself has not caused reported deaths in Vietnam yet, but complications arise due to ongoing rescue efforts for the Halong Bay disaster (30+ confirmed dead).
Civil Defence response: Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has placed coastal provinces on emergency footing, ordered evacuation from flood-prone areas, called boats ashore, and instructed stockpiling of food and rescue supplies. Communication infrastructure protection is also emphasized.
Typhoon status & location: The storm is expected to make landfall on Tuesday along Vietnam’s northern coast, moving quickly and bringing heavy rainfall capable of flash floods and landslides, the US Embassy in Vietnam warned.
South Korea
Damage and Impact: South Korea experienced severe rains from Typhoon Wipha's remnants, causing landslides and floods.
Death toll: At least 17 people have died due to flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains linked to Wipha.
Civil Defence response: Local authorities have been responding to flood emergencies and landslide sites, though specific measures were not detailed in available reports.
Typhoon status & location: By July 20, Wipha had weakened but rains continued to affect South Korea as a tropical storm remnant, exacerbating flood risks, Reuters reported.
This report reflects the situation as of midday July 21, 2025.
Typhoon Wipha is continuing westward, weakening over land but still posing serious threats of flooding and landslides in Vietnam and South Korea. Civil defences remain on high alert.
Philippines
At least five people were killed while 800,000 were affected, as the storm and the monsoon have displaced 90,000 people across 16 regions. Emergency workers reported that more than 300 areas were flooded, while some 1,234 houses were damaged.
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