Tropical Cyclone Wutip, INVEST 94W, and Southwest Monsoon

Tropical Cyclone Wutip and related monsoon situation on June 11, 2025

Tropical Cyclone Wutip gradually developed from a tropical disturbance, INVEST 92W, which passed through the central and southwestern regions of the Philippines. It later intensified into a tropical cyclone and was detected and reported by Vietnam’s National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) on June 11, 2025. Tropical Cyclone Wutip had maximum sustained wind speeds of approximately 65–90 km/h and intensified into a severe tropical storm with wind speeds reaching around 100 km/h over the upper South China Sea. According to the NCHMF, the cyclone was forecasted to move toward Hainan Island on June 12, 2025. The cyclone weakened over mainland China on June 14, 2025.

Additionally, INVEST 94W was detected on June 11, 2025, as a low-pressure area and was expected to develop into a higher-level tropical cyclone, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Furthermore, storm and monsoon activity may affect the eastern regions of Thailand, Vietnam, Lao PDR, and Cambodia.

Damage and losses

Impact on the affected area

Several countries were affected or placed under observation due to the emergence of a tropical cyclone. These included Cambodia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. In Cambodia, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology reported that light rainfall is expected across the country. In Lao PDR, approximately 13,747 hectares of land were reported as affected. In Vietnam, coastal areas from Quang Binh to Quang Ngai provinces reported damage caused by the storm's impact.

Although the tropical cyclone was not expected to pass directly over Thailand and Cambodia, parts of eastern and northeastern Thailand experienced the effects of the southwest monsoon. In Cambodia, the southwest monsoon brought cloudy skies, light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds across much of the country.

Agricultural devastation

Agricultural land:

In Lao PDR, the provinces of Vientiane, Salavan, and Champasack Provinces were estimated to have suffered damage to approximately 5,267 hectares of land due to the severe weather conditions.

In Vietnam, coastal areas from Quang Binh to Quang Ngai provinces were estimated to have sustained damage to around 72,760 hectares of flooded paddy rice fields.

Affected crops:

In Lao PDR, approximately 12,391 hectares of paddy rice fields were affected, with estimated losses valued at 313,092 USD. Other crops were impacted across 1,356 hectares, resulting in an estimated loss of 153,240 USD.

In Vietnam, around 19,257 hectares of paddy rice fields were affected.

Government responses and countermeasures

In Lao PDR, many organizations provided technical assistance and essential supplies to support affected households. A total of 43 tons of rice seeds were distributed to help with planting or replacing crops in suitable areas.

Urgent surveys of damaged irrigation systems were also conducted to ensure the timely resumption of water supply to paddy fields. This work was funded by the province’s own budget. Despite these efforts, the disaster is expected to have long-term impacts across various sectors, including environmental (Damage to soil, water resources, crops, livestock, and fisheries), economic (Disruption of roads, buildings, farms, and farmers' livelihoods), and social (Loss of homes, increased risk of disease, and other health impacts)

In Vietnam, the Prime Minister and the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control issued directives to the Commanding Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue in coastal provinces and cities from Quang Binh to Quang Ngai. These directives focused on proactive measures to respond to tropical depressions, storms, and heavy rainfall. Authorities also reported potential future impacts from the disaster, including reduced agricultural productivity and delayed planting due to waterlogging, which may require replanting in many areas.

Sources:

1. ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
2. Thai Meteorological Department (TMD)

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