HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam braced for Typhoon Wipha on Monday as coastal provinces were placed on emergency alert and airlines canceled flights ahead of the storm’s expected landfall early Tuesday.

Typhoon Wipha caused severe weather in southern China and Hong Kong, leading to flash floods, landslides, and disrupted transportation. Guangdong and other coastal provinces faced heavy rainfall and wind hazards.

Zurich Insurance and other providers reported a lower number of claims a day after Typhoon Wipha lashed the city.

Asean disaster management officials began conducting a simulation exercise on Monday to review SOPs and improve the region's preparedness to face crises.

Vietnam is preparing for Typhoon Wipha, with emergency alerts in coastal provinces and flight cancellations. The typhoon threatens to bring severe weather, including heavy winds and floods, to northern mountainous regions and urban areas.

Typhoon Wipha is the strongest storm to hit Hong Kong in two years, with average wind speeds exceeding 118 kilometers per hour. The last time the No 10 signal was raised was in 2023 when Super Typhoon Saola struck.