Typhoon Wipha Grounds Flights, Uproots Trees, and Causes Widespread Disruptions Across Asia
- Victor Nwoko
- Jul 20
- 2 min read
Typhoon Wipha triggered severe flight disruptions and toppled trees across Hong Kong and southern China on Sunday as it lashed the region with powerful winds and heavy rain. The storm also intensified seasonal monsoon rains in the Philippines and contributed to deadly flooding in South Korea.
Airports in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Macao suspended or delayed flights for most of the day, disrupting travel for tens of thousands. Hong Kong alone canceled at least 400 flights, affecting approximately 80,000 passengers. Several high-speed train services were also suspended due to safety concerns.
The typhoon made landfall around 6 p.m. in Taishan city, Guangdong province, after skirting just offshore. China’s National Meteorological Center confirmed the storm had weakened to a severe tropical storm upon landfall, with sustained winds of 108 km/h (67 mph).
Earlier in the day, the Hong Kong Observatory issued a Hurricane Signal No. 10—the highest level alert—before the eye of the storm passed just south of the city with sustained winds of up to 140 km/h (87 mph). The fierce winds and torrential rain uprooted trees, damaged property, and brought daily life to a halt across the region.
In Zhuhai and other cities along China’s southern coast, streets were littered with debris and fallen trees. In Hong Kong, vehicles maneuvered through tree branches scattered on roads. Government officials reported over 450 incidents of fallen trees and confirmed that 26 people had sought medical attention at public hospitals. No serious injuries were reported.
Over 250 residents took refuge in public shelters as the storm battered the city. Amusement parks, including Hong Kong Disneyland, were closed as a safety precaution.
Typhoon Wipha, named by Thailand, had earlier swept through the Philippines as a tropical storm, drenching parts of Taiwan and intensifying the southwest monsoon. In the Philippines, at least one person died in floodwaters in Cagayan province. The storm affected more than 370,000 residents, with around 43,000 forced to evacuate to emergency shelters or seek refuge with relatives due to flooding, landslides, and strong winds. Authorities reported damage to over 400 homes.
Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea is reeling from five consecutive days of torrential rain, which has left 14 people dead and 12 others missing, according to government sources. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
Wipha is expected to continue its westward trajectory and could reach Vietnam later this week.
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