Typhoon Wipha struck East and Southeast Asia, causing widespread destruction, flooding, and transportation disruptions.
In the Philippines, starting July 19, the seasonal monsoon rains intensified, leading to extensive flooding. Over a thousand homes were destroyed. In the metropolitan area, evacuation was carried out due to a sharp rise in the Marikina River. More than 800,000 people were affected by the storm, with five confirmed dead and seven missing.
On July 21, the storm reached southern mainland China. In Guangdong Province, wind gusts exceeded 73 mph. According to local authorities, about 670,000 people were evacuated across the province.
The city of Zhuhai was especially hard hit — videos circulated online showing people being knocked off their feet by the wind. Trees were uprooted, structures torn down, and large areas left without electricity.
In neighboring regions — Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai — over 900 flights were canceled.
In Fuzhou, Fujian Province, almost 12 inches of rain fell over a 12-hour period.
Flooding engulfed residential areas, streets, and underground parking lots — cars were literally swept away by the currents. One road tunnel was completely blocked by a landslide, halting traffic and complicating rescue efforts.
The storm also hit Hong Kong, where the highest level of typhoon warning was issued. Wind speeds there exceeded 104 mph. Buildings were damaged, hundreds of trees were broken, and 26 people were injured. Public transportation, including ferries, was temporarily suspended, and dark clouds covered Victoria Harbour, casting the city into gloom.
On July 22, Typhoon Wipha reached northern parts of the country, bringing heavy rains and strong winds. In the mountainous province of Dien Bien, a suspension bridge partially collapsed, injuring four people. In Hung Yen Province, power outages were reported, and residents stocked up on fuel for generators. In central regions, including Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces, up to 8 inches of rain fell, causing floods and increasing the risk of landslides. At least three people died in Nghe An due to the storm, and one person remains missing.
The world is already feeling the full force of rapidly increasing climate disasters — a reality that cannot be ignored. The ALLATRA scientific group warns that such disasters will continue to grow exponentially, and what we see today is far from the limit. Along with these warnings, they offer real solutions to the climate crisis. You can learn more about this from the videos of Dr. Egon Cholakian — an important step toward understanding and solving the problems humanity faces.