Tropical Storm Wipha intensified slightly yesterday as it passed closest to Taiwan, dumping more than 200mm of rain in Hualien and Taitung counties, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. As of 11am, Wipha was about 210km southwest of Cape Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻) and was moving west-northwest at 27km per hour (kph).

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 has brought heavy rain and strong winds to parts of Taiwan as it moves through the Bashi Channel south of the island.

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. The storm has already proved deadly in the Philippines,