Typhoon Bualoi barrelled into north-central Vietnam on Monday, bringing torrential rain and high seas and killing at least six people, destroying homes and damaging infrastructure, state-run media reported.
Why It Matters
Vietnamese state media reported that the coastal city Da Nang was relocating more than 210,000 people, while the city of Hue to its north was moving more than 32,000 people from vulnerable coastal areas to higher ground, The Associated Press reported.
The Civil Aviation Authority said operations were suspended at four coastal airports, including Danang International Airport, as the 10th typhoon to hit the South East Asian country this year approached across the South China Sea.
What To Know
The typhoon was packing winds of up to 82 miles per hour and scoured central coastal areas before making landfall in Ha Tinh province, state-run Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.
In Quy Nhat Commune in the northern province of Ninh Binh, at least four people were killed and three were injured as the storm destroyed homes.
The storm has whipped up waves of up to 16 feet and low-lying areas could see storm surges of up to 5 feet. Fishermen were ordered to remain in port but nevertheless two boats went down off Quang Tri province and authorities were searching for their crews.
Authorities in Hai Anh Commune reported tornadoes ripping out electricity poles, destroying homes and killing one person while a woman was swept away by floodwaters and killed in the city of Hue and four people were missing.
Torrential downpours of 11 inches of rain could hit some areas and authorities have issued warnings of flash floods and landslides.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for urgent efforts from ministries and localities to tackle the devastation, VNA reported. Rescue teams have been mobilised to clear debris, restore essential services and move families to safety.
Authorities warned that weakened dikes could collapse and flood surrounding areas. They urged vigilance.
Vietnam, with its long coast, is vulnerable to typhoons roaring in over the western Pacific and the South China Sea. In September 2024, Typhoon Yagi killed nearly 300 people in Vietnam.
Last week, Typhoon Bualoi battered the Philippines killing at least 10 people, authorities said.
What People Are Saying
Vietnam’s weather agency said of the storm: “It is capable of triggering multiple natural disasters simultaneously, including powerful winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, flash floods, landslides, and coastal inundation.”
What Happens Next
The storm will bring heavy rain to Vietnam on Monday and Tuesday as it crosses the country, moving west into landlocked Laos.
