A tropical storm is intensifying and is expected to reach typhoon strength before hitting southern China's coast on Sunday

Typhoon Wipha disrupted travel and daily life across Hong Kong and southern China today, grounding over 400 flights and affecting around 80,000 passengers in Hong Kong alone. Hundreds more flights were delayed in nearby cities. High winds toppled trees, injuring 26 people, and… pic.twitter.com/79U0q0vgiy

Level IV flood control emergency alert issued as Typhoon Wipha likely to hit southern and eastern parts of China - Anadolu Ajansı

Showers are forecast for eastern Taiwan, the Hengchun Peninsula, and the south, with localized heavy rain in Hualien, Taitung, and Hengchun. Yilan and Greater Taipei may see brief rain, while Taoyuan to Tainan could experience afternoon thunderstorms.

Wipha was a tropical storm in the Gulf of Tonkin Monday afternoon China Standard Time, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center said in its latest advisory. Typhoon season is year-round; however, most typhoons form from early July through mid-December.