Vietnam braces for Tropical Storm Wipha as it nears the northern coastline with potential for significant rainfall and flooding. Nearly 350,000 soldiers are ready to respond, while transport services are disrupted.

Tropical Storm Wipha is edging slowly towards 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.

Wipha was a tropical storm over China Sunday evening Eastern time, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center said in its latest advisory. The tropical storm had sustained wind speeds of 52 miles per hour.