Typhoon Bualoi has tragically swept across Vietnam’s central coast, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 people and leaving 21 others unaccounted for, according to official state media reports. This devastating storm had previously wreaked havoc in the Philippines over the weekend, where it claimed a minimum of 10 lives.
The typhoon made landfall on Sunday night, around 11 p.m. local time, unleashing powerful winds estimated between 73 and 83 miles per hour, as reported by local media citing the national weather forecaster. By Monday, Vietnam had intensified its emergency relief efforts, with rescuers battling challenging conditions to reach communities cut off by severe landslides and flash floods. As Bualoi continued its westward trajectory towards Laos, persistent rainfall threatened to further exacerbate the damage by causing water levels in regional hydropower reservoirs to rise dangerously.
Huy Nguyen, a local weather forecaster, commented on the storm’s unusual intensity: “This typhoon is among the most powerful to strike these areas in the last two decades. Its widespread destruction is largely due to its prolonged presence inland, lingering for six to eleven hours after hitting the coast.”
The trajectory and intensity of Typhoon Bualoi can be understood through detailed mapping that tracks its likely path and wind arrival times across the region.
With wind gusts surging past 90 m.p.h., Bualoi tracked along the coastline, delivering a brutal blow to a wide expanse of central Vietnam. This region was already struggling to recover from the widespread destruction left by Typhoon Kajiki just a month prior, leaving residents with little to no respite.
The relentless succession of storms has severely limited the time available for communities to rebuild and heal.
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 managed to repair my house with loans. Today, this typhoon has damaged my home once again.”
Bualoi’s impact extended far beyond its immediate path. In Ninh Binh Province, located approximately 124 miles from the storm’s eye, violent thunderstorms caused homes to collapse and led to the deaths of nine individuals. State media also reported widespread power outages across Vietnam’s central Ha Tinh Province, which experienced a direct hit from the typhoon’s eye.
Tran Huu Khanh, deputy director of the Ha Tinh Department of Agriculture and Environment, stated, “We anticipate continued rainfall. We are mobilizing all available resources to prepare for and respond to the heightened risks of flash floods and landslides.”
In a proactive measure, tens of thousands of residents had been evacuated across Vietnam over the weekend in anticipation of Bualoi’s arrival.
Dr. Huy issued a final warning, emphasizing that “The typhoon continues to bring heavy rain over Laos and the border region with Vietnam. The full impact and danger of this typhoon are not yet over.”