Tropical Storm Wutip nears landfall over Hainan, China
Tropical Storm Wutip, the first named storm of the 2025 Pacific typhoon season, is tracking toward Hainan and is forecast to make landfall on Friday, June 13, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
Tropical Storm Wutip at 07:50 UTC on June 12, 2025. Credit: JMA/Himawari-9, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers
As of 02:00 UTC on June 12, Wutip was located approximately 85 km (53 miles) west-southwest of Sanya City in Hainan Province. The 10-minute maximum sustained winds reached 90 km/h (56 mph).
The system was moving west-northwest at 10–15 km/h (6–9 mph) with a minimum central pressure of 985 hPa.
Level 7 gale force winds on the Beaufort extended 150 km (93 miles) to the northeast, 260 km (162 miles) to the southeast, 260 km (162 miles) to the southwest, and 100 km (62 miles) to the northwest.
After crossing the coast, Wutip is forecast to weaken as it tracks over Hainan but will re-intensify when it moves into the Gulf of Tonkin due to warm waters, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).
The system is then expected to make its second landfall as a severe tropical storm along the coast of Guangdong and Guangxi provinces on Saturday, June 14, quickly weakening over land, according to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA). Hong Kong has maintained its initial cyclone warning, known as Standby Signal, No. 1.
The system is forecast to bring heavy rain of 250–300 mm (10–12 inches) in parts of southwestern and eastern Hainan and southern Taiwan between June 12 and 13.
Most areas of the South China Sea, Beibu Gulf, Qiongzhou Strait, the Xisha, Nansha, and Zhongsha Islands, as well as coastal waters of Guangdong, Hainan Island, and Guangxi, will experience winds of 39–74 km/h (24 to 46 mph) with gusts up to 75–102 km/h (47–63 mph).
Ahead of reaching Hainan, Wutip’s outer rainbands caused extensive flooding in central Vietnam from June 11 to 12. Da Nang experienced particularly severe flooding, with water levels rising rapidly and reaching up to 80 cm (31 inches) in several districts. Residents evacuated their belongings overnight, using boats to move motorbikes and other property to higher ground.
Heavy rainfall also affected broader regions, including Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, and Quang Ngai provinces. The Vietnam National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported rainfall totals ranging from 100 to 200 mm (4 to 8 inches) in most areas, with localized accumulations exceeding 300 mm (12 inches). In Đại Lộc district alone, floodwaters impacted over 300 homes, while authorities evacuated 52 residents from 10 households in Kim Thủy commune, Lệ Thủy district.
Severe weather conditions disrupted air travel, with numerous flights at Da Nang International Airport canceled, diverted, or forced to return mid-flight, stranding thousands of travelers.
Rishav is a skilled researcher specializing in extreme and severe weather reporting. He combines exceptional research capabilities with scientific precision to deliver clear, data-driven articles. Known for uncovering critical information, Rishav ensures his work is accurate, insightful, and impactful. His passion for both science and literature fuels his dedication to producing high-quality news articles. You can reach him at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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