Severe Tropical Storm Wutip Strikes Southeast Asia, Leaving a Path of Destruction

Severe Tropical Storm Wutip, the first named storm of the 2025 Pacific typhoon season, formed over the South China Sea on June 9, 2025. Over the following week, it traversed multiple Southeast Asian countries, leaving a trail of destruction and highlighting the region's vulnerability to tropical cyclones.

Wutip originated as an area of atmospheric convection identified by the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) on June 5, approximately 160 nautical miles west of Yap. By June 6, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) noted its development into a low-pressure area. The system evolved into a tropical depression over the South China Sea on June 9 and intensified into a tropical storm named Wutip by June 11. It reached peak intensity on June 13, with ten-minute sustained winds of 60 knots and a central pressure of 980 hPa.

The storm made its first landfall near Dongfang city on Hainan Island, China, on June 13, before reemerging over the Gulf of Tonkin and making a second landfall near Leizhou City in Guangdong Province on June 14. Wutip dissipated inland on June 15.

Preparations and Impact

Philippines

On June 7, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued flood warnings for a weather disturbance that was a precursor to Wutip, cautioning the public about possible landslides and flash floods. By June 10, PAGASA urged affected areas to stay alert for potential flooding.

The precursor to Wutip, along with the southwest monsoon, triggered a lahar flow near Kanlaon Volcano. The Bicol region and Aurora province experienced heavy rainfall due to Wutip's precursor, which also brought rain to Central and Eastern Visayas. Moderate to heavy flooding was reported in areas of Mindoro, Zambales, and Bataan, caused by the precursor of Wutip and enhanced by the southwest monsoon. Floods occurred in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, and around Roxas Boulevard. Due to the combined impact of the precursor to Wutip and the southwest monsoon, a total of 18,296 individuals were affected, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Additionally, at least three people died, one person was injured, 790 houses were damaged, and two cities reported power outages.

Vietnam

Wutip brought heavy rains and floods in Huế, causing authorities to encourage residents to take precautions. In Đà Nẵng, the storm's outer bands severely flooded areas of streets and houses from heavy rainfall, causing minor damage. Wave heights reaching 3-5 meters impacted the coast of Vietnam, putting vessels at risk. On June 11, the Quảng Nam Border Guard Command rescued two crew members stuck onboard a fishing vessel amid rough seas. Multiple landslides were reported, some of which blocked the La Sơn–Túy Loan Expressway, the Hồ Chí Minh Highway, and National Route 49. Flooding in the Hương River surpassed alert level 2. The Bồ River neared alert level 3. Floodwaters in the Quảng Trị province neared alert level 2. Most of the low-level bridges in the Hoằng Hóa and the Đa Krông districts were flooded. Eleven people were reported dead. Two of the deaths were located at Quảng Trị during flood prevention efforts, while one drowned at Hải Lăng district.

Slight rains were recorded in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, with some low-lying roads in Phú Xuân district flooding. In Mít Cát village, Kim Thủy commune, Lệ Thủy district, 52 people from 10 households were relocated because of heavy floods. More than 3,500 homes were flooded across Vietnam, including 2,770 in Quảng Trị, 725 in Quảng Nam, and 80 in Da Nang. Ten landslides blocked a road in Bảo Yên district. Widespread power outages were also reported. A fishing boat sank, and flights at Đà Nẵng airport were disrupted. At least 18,337 hectares of rice fields and nearly 1,000 hectares of land were inundated. Floods in some rivers reached a 30-year high.

China

On June 10, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) of Taiwan stated that southern areas could experience thunderstorms. The next day, the National Emergency Broadcast of China urged residents in coastal regions to closely monitor weather updates. The Hainan Provincial Disaster Prevention, Mitigation and Relief Committee of China launched a level IV response to Wutip. The Ministry of Natural Resources of China said that Wutip would generate 3-5 meters of waves in Hainan.

The Hainan Provincial Meteorological Bureau declared a yellow alert (Level Three). Wanning, Baisha county, and Haikou on the island province declared a blue alert (Level Four). Fishing boats in Guangdong province, China, retreated. 139 flights were canceled at the Haikou Meilan International Airport, and all ferry services across the Qiongzhou Strait were suspended since June 12. 1,200 trucks were stranded near ports. A concert by Cantopop singer Eason Chan at Wuyuan River Stadium in Haikou was canceled. Sixteen cities and counties in the province suspended classes. 16,651 people from Hainan in high-risk regions were evacuated. Some tourist attractions were temporarily closed.

Typhoon Wutip made landfall on China's Hainan Island late Friday night at a severe tropical storm level, with maximum sustained winds of 30 meters per second (119 km/h). This marks only the second time in 70 years that the island experienced the nation's first typhoon of the year. The storm struck the Basuo township in Dongfang city and was originally forecasted to hit the Chinese mainland near the Guangdong-Guangxi border around noon Saturday.

Authorities took precautionary measures, evacuating over 10,000 people in Guangdong, closing schools, and suspending flights, trains, and maritime travel. In Sanya, Hainan’s beach resort city, all public facilities were closed and airport operations halted. Heavy damage has been reported, including toppled trees and damaged construction sites.

Xinhua reported that 12 crew members were rescued from a distressed cargo ship in rough seas. Guangdong readied rescue resources and recalled over 49,000 fishing vessels. Torrential rain and potential tornadoes are expected. The storm's name, Wutip, means "butterfly" in Cantonese.

This is the first typhoon to land on Hainan since Typhoon Neoguri in 2008. Neoguri means "raccoon" in Korean. The naming of typhoons comes from countries and territories in the typhoon-prone region.

Social and Societal Implications

The impact of Severe Tropical Storm Wutip underscores the vulnerability of coastal and low-lying regions in Southeast Asia to tropical cyclones. The storm's trajectory through multiple countries highlights the need for regional cooperation in disaster preparedness and response. The evacuations, infrastructure damage, and fatalities emphasize the importance of robust early warning systems and resilient infrastructure to mitigate the effects of such natural disasters.

Background Information

Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia, comprising over 7,000 islands. It is highly susceptible to typhoons, with an average of 20 typhoons entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility each year. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is the agency responsible for ensuring the protection and welfare of the people during disasters.

Vietnam

Vietnam, located on the eastern Indochina Peninsula, has a long coastline that makes it prone to typhoons and tropical storms. The country has a history of severe flooding and landslides resulting from such weather events. The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) is responsible for monitoring and forecasting weather conditions.

China

China's southern provinces, including Hainan and Guangdong, frequently experience typhoons. The National Meteorological Center (NMC) is responsible for weather forecasting and warnings.

Severe Tropical Storm Wutip's formation and trajectory through Southeast Asia serve as a stark reminder of the region's vulnerability to tropical cyclones. The storm's impact highlights the critical need for effective disaster preparedness, regional cooperation, and resilient infrastructure to mitigate future natural disasters.