Severe storm Wipha to hit Vietnam today as heavy rain and strong winds batter Thailand. Flash floods and 4m waves expected in coastal areas. BANGKOK — Thailand is expected to experience heavy rainfall,

Tropical storm Wipha was set to cross Vietnam's northern coastline on Tuesday morning, with almost 350,000 soldiers on standby as the state weather agency forecast up to 50 cm (20 inches) of rainfall that could cause flooding and mudslides.

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.

Rains from Typhoon Wipha pounded Hong Kong on Sunday as the storm skirted southwards before making landfall on the coast of China’s Guangdong province, leaving fallen trees and scaffolding and sending over 200 people to seek refuge at temporary shelters.

Typhoon Wipha started building up at sea before hitting Hong Kong and China and making its way towards Vietnam. Video credit: CSU/CIRA & JMA/JAXA

BEIJING (Reuters) -Storms drenched southern parts of the Chinese mainland on Monday, triggering warnings of flash floods and landslides, a day after Typhoon Wipha pounded Hong Kong. Heavy rain lashed the cities of Yangjiang,