Tropical Storm Wipha caused widespread destruction in Vietnam’s central province of Nghe An, where relentless rains and flooding have claimed three lives and left one person missing.

The storm occurred on Tuesday after sweeping through Hong Kong and southern China.

It has also worsened monsoon conditions across the region, including the Philippines.

Vietnam’s long, storm-exposed coastline along the South China Sea often places the country in the direct path of typhoons, and Wipha is the first major system of the season to hit. Its impact on Nghe An has been particularly severe.

According to Kinh Te Moi Truong newspaper, one victim was buried in a landslide, while another was swept away by swift floodwaters. More than 3,700 homes have been submerged, with nearly 500 others damaged by strong winds.

The state media images reveal entire villages submerged under floodwaters, with only rooftops visible above the surface. Local resident Dang Thi Ngoc expressed the despair felt by many: “Our rice, our clothing, and our money are all gone. We have nothing left except for our bare hands.”

The agricultural sector has also been hard hit, with over 1,600 hectares of rice fields and nearly 1,300 hectares of cash crops destroyed. For many in the region, the road to recovery will be long and challenging.

Authorities warn that the storm’s effects may worsen in the coming days. Forecasts predict continued heavy rainfall up to 250 millimeters through Thursday and Friday, increasing the risk of further flooding across northern Vietnam into the weekend.