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.

Storm Wipha is causing strong winds of 62–102 kph in the islands and coastal areas of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong in northern Vietnam and is expected to make landfall around 10 a.m. today.

HANOI, Vietnam -- 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.