The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has adjusted its flight schedules to ensure the safety of passengers and crew given the complicated developments of Typhoon Wipha, the third to hit the East Sea (South China Sea) this year.

Preparations are underway for Typhoon Wipha in Vietnam, with the government urging people in its eastern coast to secure dikes and crucial infrastructure. The powerful typhoon is set to hit the country this week,

In response to Typhoon Wipha, the third to hit the East Sea this year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has decided to temporarily suspend the reception and operation of aircraft at airports located within the affected areas on July 21 and 22.

Typhoon Wipha has unleashed torrential rain across multiple regions as it barrels towards Vietnam, with rainfall exceeding 200mm, sparking concerns over flooding and landslides.

Typhoon Wipha started building up over the South China Sea before hitting Hong Kong, Taiwan and China, and making its way towards Vietnam. Video credit: CSU/CIRA & JMA/JAXA

Typhoon Wipha has toppled trees and caused major flight disruptions in Hong Kong and at some nearby airports in China as it moved west off the country’s southern coast.

The thunderstorm came so suddenly that it overturned the boat within seconds, said two survivors of the shipwreck which killed at least 35 people in Vietnam's top tourist spot of Halong Bay and left another four missing.

The death toll from a tourist boat accident in Vietnam’s Halong Bay climbed to at least 38 with several people still missing, the government said, as rescuers continued to search for survivors while bracing for the approach of Typhoon Wipha.