Mayor asks for emergency response to Typhoon Wipha

Authorities are bracing for widespread and prolonged rainfall, flash floods, landslides, and urban inundation. The mayor instructed local departments and ward-level administrations to enhance coordination and implement timely measures to protect lives, property, and public infrastructure.

Local authorities are required to maintain 24/7 monitoring, activate emergency plans as needed, and reinforce critical infrastructure—including telecommunications and power networks—to ensure continued operations throughout the storm.

Traffic management measures will be enforced in vulnerable areas, including road closures, detours, and commuter rerouting where deep flooding or landslides are likely. Emergency response teams must stay ready to resolve incidents quickly and ensure key roads remain accessible. The city's dike systems are also undergoing inspection.

The Ha Noi Power Corporation, in collaboration with the Department of Industry and Trade, has been tasked with maintaining a stable power supply. Restoration efforts are to be prioritized for drainage pumping stations to mitigate the risk of serious flooding.

The Department of Construction is coordinating with the Ha Noi Green Trees Company and local officials to promptly remove fallen trees and keep roads clear and safe for travel.

In one of the most immediate precautionary moves, all residents of the G6A Thanh Cong apartment building—a structure classified as Level D (extremely dangerous)—were evacuated overnight on July 21.

The building had previously been flagged as unsafe, with authorities declaring blocks 1 and 2 of the complex dangerous in 2016 and recommending demolition. Although the site had been fenced off, relocation efforts stalled for years, and dozens of households continued living there for over nine years.

Although Typhoon Wipha is forecast to make landfall between Hai Phong and Thanh Hoa, it is expected to cause heavy and extended rainfall in Ha Noi. Thunderstorms, strong winds, and whirlwinds are also likely.

According to rainfall data recorded between 7 p.m. on July 20 and the morning of July 21, most areas in Ha Noi received 10–20 mm of rain, with some exceeding 20 mm.

Forecasts from the Northern Hydrometeorological Center indicate that from now through the evening of July 23, the capital will experience moderate to heavy rain, with some areas seeing very heavy downpours of 80 to 250 mm—possibly surpassing 300 mm in localized zones.

From July 23 to 25, rainfall is expected to continue, ranging from 50 to 100 mm, and potentially over 150 mm in certain areas.

Nguyen Van Hiep, Deputy Director of the Northern Hydrometeorological Center, warned that the severe weather could bring thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds, potentially damaging trees, homes, and transportation infrastructure. Prolonged rain may also saturate soil, increasing the risk of falling trees and crop damage. In urban areas, overwhelmed drainage systems could lead to flooding and widespread traffic disruption./.