Typhoon Bualoi has tragically claimed at least 11 lives and caused extensive damage to hundreds of homes in central and northern Vietnam, according to state media reports. The powerful storm made landfall on Sunday night, bringing with it flooding, washed-out bridges, and buildings stripped of their roofs before it eventually weakened and moved into neighboring Laos. This devastating event follows closely on the heels of other major storms, with Typhoon Bualoi having already caused over 20 fatalities in the Philippines since Friday.
This latest natural disaster highlights the increasing intensity of weather patterns in the region. Just last week, Super Typhoon Ragasa, the most powerful storm of 2025, left a trail of destruction, claiming at least 28 lives in the northern Philippines and Taiwan before making its way towards Hong Kong and China.
When Typhoon Bualoi made landfall in central Vietnam, it carried sustained winds of 117km/h (73mph). As it continued its path into Laos, its maximum wind speed decreased to 74km/h (46mph), as reported by Reuters, citing Vietnam’s national weather agency. Efforts are currently underway to search for 17 fishermen who remain missing after their boats were battered by immense waves. In preparation for the typhoon’s arrival, approximately 30,000 people were evacuated from their homes in Vietnam, local media stated. The storm also led to the delay or cancellation of dozens of flights over the weekend.
Residents recounted the terror of the storm, with one individual from Nghe An province sharing, “I stayed awake the whole night fearing the door would be pulled off by strong winds.” The central province of Ha Tinh experienced a widespread power outage due to downed power lines, and torrential rains caused significant flooding in agricultural fields.
Forecasters anticipate that northern Vietnam could receive between 200-350mm of rain between Sunday and Tuesday, with some areas potentially experiencing up to 500mm. Authorities have issued urgent warnings for residents to remain indoors, and Prime Minister Phan Minh Chinh has directed efforts to accelerate rescue and relief operations, according to state media.
In the previous week, Typhoon Ragasa impacted southern China, prompting the evacuation of nearly two million people. The typhoon also caused severe flooding and landslides, leading to 14 fatalities in Taiwan after a barrier lake breached its banks. A similar number of casualties were reported in the Philippines, where officials noted that the combined death toll from Bualoi, Ragasa, and another tropical storm in September had reached 26.
Experts indicate that climate change is a significant factor in the intensification of extreme weather events, contributing to more powerful and frequent typhoons.
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