Tropical storm Wipha was set to cross Vietnam's northern coastline on Tuesday morning, with almost 350,000 soldiers on standby as the state weather agency forecast up to 50 cm (20 inches) of rainfall that could cause flooding and mudslides.

Tropical Storm Wipha slammed into northern Vietnam near Haiphong, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and flash flood threats as it moves inland toward Hanoi and Laos, authorities warned.

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

Storm Wipha made landfall along the coastline between Hung Yen and Ninh Binh Provinces at 10 a.m. Tuesday, packing 64–102 kph winds, before moving southwest and weakening.

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.

The thunderstorm came so suddenly that it overturned the boat within seconds, said two survivors of the shipwreck which killed at least 35 people in Vietnam's top tourist spot of Halong Bay and left another four missing.

Storm Wipha made landfall along the coastline between Hung Yen and Ninh Binh Provinces at 10 a.m. Tuesday, packing 64–102 kph winds, before moving southwest and weakening.

Britons have been issued a travel warning for Vietnam as the country braces for Storm Wipha. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has today warned the storm is on approach to northern Vietnam,