HANOI, Vietnam -- 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.

Vietnam is expecting 500mm of rainfall as Typhoon Wipha approaches the northern coast after skirting the Philippines.

Storm Wipha is causing strong winds of 62–102 kph in the islands and coastal areas of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong in northern Vietnam and is expected to make landfall around 10 a.m. today.

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,

Travellers to Vietnam have been warned to “expect travel disruption” as a tropical storm approaches tourist hotspots on its northern coast. Storm Wipha is forecast to bring heavy rain, strong winds and flooding when it makes landfall on Tuesday.

Tropical Storm Wipha is edging slowly toward Vietnam and is set to cross the coast near the northern port city of Haiphong around noon on Tuesday, bringing heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding.

A boy survived the sinking of a tourist boat in Vietnam which killed dozens of people by sheltering in an air pocket of the overturned vessel, it has emerged.