Mass evacuations, heavy rains, and strong winds cause widespread damage before storm weakens over Laos
Typhoon Bualoi Hits Vietnam With Full Force
On Monday, Typhoon Bualoi slammed into Vietnam’s central and northern coastline, leaving a trail of destruction. The storm killed at least 8 people and left 17 missing, including multiple fishermen lost at sea.
Before making landfall, Bualoi tracked along the coastline for several hours, producing waves up to 8 meters high, according to Vietnam’s national weather agency.
Severe Impact on Coastal Provinces
Key affected areas included Quang Tri, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, and Hue:
- 17 fishermen missing after massive waves struck boats off Quang Tri.
- One fishing vessel lost contact during the storm.
- Power outages and infrastructure damage were reported in several towns.
- Hundreds of homes were damaged or flooded, and many roads were rendered impassable.
“I stayed awake the whole night fearing the door would be pulled off by strong winds,” said Ho Van Quynh from Nghe An.
“I’ve witnessed many storms, and this is one of the strongest,” shared 45-year-old Nguyen Tuan Vinh.
Confirmed Fatalities and Injuries
- 8 people killed by strong winds in Ninh Binh.
- 1 person drowned in floodwaters in Hue City.
- 1 death from a falling tree in Thanh Hoa Province.
- 7 others injured in various storm-related incidents.
Storm Weakening as It Moves Inland
As of 11:00 a.m. local time, Typhoon Bualoi had weakened:
- Moved over Nghe An Province into Laos
- Wind speeds dropped from 117 kph (73 mph) at landfall to 74 kph (46 mph)
Widespread Damage and Disruptions
- 245 homes damaged
- 1,400 hectares of rice and crops flooded
- 4 central airports closed
- Hundreds of flights cancelled or delayed
- 28,500+ people evacuated before landfall
No significant industrial damage was reported, although large factories—including those operated by Foxconn, Luxshare, Vinfast, and Formosa Plastics—were in or near the typhoon’s path.
Ongoing Risk: Heavy Rain and Landslides
Authorities have issued warnings for:
- Severe flooding
- Landslides in mountainous regions
- Rainfall expected to reach up to 500 mm in some areas between Sunday night and Tuesday
Background: Vietnam’s Vulnerability to Typhoons
Vietnam’s long coastline along the South China Sea makes it particularly vulnerable to typhoons forming east of the Philippines. Bualoi had previously struck the Philippines, where at least 10 people died.
