Typhoon Bualoi unleashed its fury on Vietnam’s central coast on Monday, leaving a trail of destruction that has resulted in at least 12 deaths and 21 people reported missing, according to official state media. The same relentless storm had previously battered the Philippines over the weekend, where it claimed at least 10 lives.
The typhoon made landfall late Sunday night, around 11 p.m. local time, with ferocious wind speeds ranging from 73 to 83 miles per hour, as reported by local media citing the national weather forecaster. Throughout Monday, Vietnam intensified its emergency response and relief efforts, yet rescuers faced immense challenges reaching communities cut off by extensive landslides and sudden flash floods. As Bualoi continued its westward trajectory towards Laos, persistent rainfall threatened to further swell hydropower reservoirs in the area, raising fears of even more widespread damage.
Huy Nguyen, a local weather forecaster, commented, “This typhoon stands as one of the most powerful to strike these areas in the past two decades. Its devastating impact was magnified by how long it lingered inland—between six and 11 hours—after making landfall.”
Interactive: Tracking Typhoon Bualoi’s Path
Explore the projected trajectory and estimated wind arrival times for Typhoon Bualoi to understand its full impact.
With wind gusts surging beyond 90 miles per hour, Bualoi relentlessly moved along the coastline, wreaking havoc across a vast expanse of central Vietnam. This same region had barely begun to recover from the widespread devastation inflicted by Typhoon Kajiki just one month prior.
The unfortunate timing of these successive storms has offered virtually no respite or opportunity for recovery.
Tran Thi Ha, a 40-year-old resident of Ha Tinh Province, shared her harrowing experience: “The previous typhoon destroyed my home. All the roof was blown away. I had just fixed my house with loans. Today, this typhoon has damaged my home again.”
Bualoi’s destructive influence was felt far and wide across the region. In Ninh Binh Province, located approximately 124 miles from the storm’s direct path, severe thunderstorms led to house collapses and the tragic deaths of nine people. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s central Ha Tinh Province, which bore the brunt of the storm’s eye, experienced extensive power outages, as confirmed by state media.
Tran Huu Khanh, deputy director of the Ha Tinh Department of Agriculture and Environment, stated, “We anticipate that the rain will persist. We are deploying all available resources to prepare for and respond to the escalating risks of flash floods and landslides.”
In a proactive measure, Vietnamese authorities had successfully evacuated tens of thousands of residents over the weekend in advance of Bualoi’s anticipated arrival.
Dr. Huy issued a final caution: “The typhoon continues to unleash heavy rainfall over Laos and the border region with Vietnam. The full extent of the typhoon’s impact and the dangers it poses are far from over.”