Typhoon Bualoi Turns Tropical Storm and Ravages Vietnam Killing Nine People
Former typhoon wreaks havoc, leaves Vietnam reeling from floods.
Tropical Storm Bualoi, downgraded from a typhoon, tore through central Vietnam on Monday, claiming at least nine lives and leaving a trail of destruction before moving into Laos, state media reported. The storm, which made landfall in Ha Tinh province just after midnight on Sunday with winds up to 133 kph, brought torrential rains, storm surges, and chaos, flooding roads, toppling power poles, and ripping roofs off homes and schools across multiple provinces.
The devastation was widespread: vehicles were submerged in urban areas, temporary bridges were swept away, and highland communities were cut off. In Ninh Binh, six people perished when strong winds collapsed houses. In Thanh Hoa, local official Nguyen Ngoc Hung was killed by a falling tree while returning home after storm preparations. Floodwaters claimed a life in Hue city, and another fatality was reported in Danang. In Quang Tri, a fishing boat broke free from its moorings, leaving nine crew members adrift; four swam to safety, but five remain missing. Rescue teams are also searching for 17 fishermen unaccounted for across the region.
By 10 AM Monday, Bualoi’s center was near the Nghe An-Laos border, with winds reduced to 74 kph, according to Vietnamese forecasters. Authorities grounded fishing boats and suspended operations at four coastal airports as a precaution. Over 347,000 households lost power before the storm hit, with gusts toppling concrete pillars and tearing corrugated iron roofs along highways. In Phong Nha, home to some of the world’s largest caves, resident Le Hang described “terrifying gusts” and relentless rain, telling VNExpress, “No one dares to go out.”
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Vietnam evacuated thousands from central and northern provinces as Bualoi approached faster than anticipated. The storm follows a deadly path through the Philippines, where it killed at least 20 people, mostly by drownings and falling trees, and displaced 23,000 families into emergency shelters. This marks the second major storm to strike Asia in a week, after Typhoon Ragasa left 28 dead in the Philippines, Taiwan, and China.
Experts warn that global warming is intensifying storms like Bualoi, with warmer oceans fueling stronger winds and heavier rainfall. As Vietnam assesses the damage and continues rescue efforts, the region braces for potential further impacts as Bualoi moves deeper into Laos, leaving communities to rebuild amid growing concerns about increasingly severe weather patterns.
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