At approximately 5:50 p.m. local time on July 20, 2025, Typhoon Wipha, the sixth typhoon of the year, made landfall in Taishan city, Guangdong province, with maximum sustained winds of 118 km/h. Later that night, it made a second landfall in Yangjiang, near Hailing Island. Wipha weakened to a severe tropical storm after hitting Macau and Hong Kong, but continued to pound southern China with powerful gusts and heavy rain, causing widespread disruption and necessitating emergency measures.

Source: National Institute of Informatics (NII)

Typhoon Wipha’s Path and Impact

On June 21, 2025, Wipha began as a tropical depression located near the Northern Mariana Islands. It quickly strengthened and developed into a typhoon, moving over the South China Sea, and passing Taiwan and the Philippines before making landfall in Southern China. In Hong Kong, Signal No. 10 resulted in over 400 flight cancellations, affecting approximately 80,000 passengers, and also rendered public transit unavailable. Over 700 trees fell, scaffolding collapsed, and moderate flooding occurred in Wong Tai Sin.

Traffic was brought to a standstill in Guangdong cities such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai. Major infrastructure, including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Qiongzhou Strait shipping services, shut down. Fifty-two coastal tourist spots were closed, and railway services, including Guangzhou-Shenzhen lines, were suspended. Macau experienced threats of flooding as a result, while Haikou in Hainan was set to suffer from extreme waterlogging.

Source: X

The China Meteorological Administration issued an orange typhoon warning. It was expected that waterways in Guangdong could rise by 2–5 meters, posing serious risks of dike breaches, landslides, and flash floods in areas such as Enping, Yangjiang, and Maoming.

Also Read: Trump Administration Tightens Review For Wind And Solar Projects On Federal Land

Evacuation and Shelter Efforts

By July 20, approximately 670,000 people had been evacuated in Guangdong. Shenzhen opened 929 indoor emergency shelters. Around 200 residents in high-risk areas of Jiangmen were moved to a gym-converted shelter. In Hainan, all fishing boats were recalled to shelters. In Hong Kong, 277 people took refuge in 34 temporary shelters.

Also Read: Wildfire Insurance Crisis Escalates in California: State Overtakes Florida as America’s Riskiest Home Insurance Market

Government Response and Relief Measures

Source: X

China’s State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters raised the emergency response to Level III in Guangdong and Hainan; Guangxi remained at Level IV. Central authorities sent 33,000 relief supplies, including lamps, folding beds, and quilts. In Shenzhen, rescuers freed a man trapped in a car struck by fallen trees. The Red Cross Society of China distributed supplies and assisted with cleanup. Guangdong’s water conservancy department warned of rising river levels and risks of flooding and landslides.

Source: X

Also Read: China Pledges Sustainable Urbanisation After Decades Of Breakneck Growth

How to Help and Stay Informed

Donations can be made via the Red Cross Society of China or other reputable relief organizations. Residents should monitor official websites, such as those of the China Meteorological Administration and the Guangdong Provincial Government, for updates. For emergencies, contact 110 (police) or 120 (medical services).

Key Information Table: Typhoon Wipha

As Typhoon Wipha moves toward Vietnam, Southern China remains on alert for flooding and landslides. Residents are urged to stay informed and take precautions.

Also Read: Arctic Birders Lead the Fight Against Climate Change and Avian Flu