Hanoi, July 22 -- Typhoon Wipha (locally known as storm No. 3) had weakened into a tropical depression, operating in northern Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces by 19:00 on July 22, the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported.

The centre said that the storm's centre was located at approximately 20.1 degrees North latitude and 105.6-105.7 degrees East longitude, with wind speeds reaching level 6-7 (50-61km/h) and gusts up to level 9. The depression is moving west-southwest at a speed of around 10km/h.

It is forecast to continue weakening into a low-pressure area over northern Laos by the morning of July 23. Affected areas include the western part of the Gulf of Tonkin, coastal waters, and mainland areas of provinces ...