Typhoon Bualoi has claimed the lives of at least 11 people and wreaked havoc across central and northern Vietnam, according to reports from state media. The storm, which made landfall on Sunday night, has left dozens missing or injured as it caused widespread flooding and infrastructure destruction, including washed-away bridges and uprooted trees.
The typhoon had previously caused over 20 fatalities in the Philippines prior to reaching Vietnam. Bualoi is another reminder of the increasingly severe weather events threatening the region, with its winds initially reaching 117km/h (73mph), before weakening upon entering Laos.
Rescue operations are currently underway for 17 missing fishermen, whose boats were capsized by massive waves generated by the storm. In anticipation of Bualoi, nearly 30,000 residents were evacuated, yet chaos ensued with many flights delayed or cancelled.
A resident of Nghe An province recounted their experience: I stayed awake the whole night fearing the door would be pulled off by strong winds. As power lines fell and torrential rains flooded agricultural fields, the province of Ha Tinh faced widespread blackouts.
Forecasts indicate that northern Vietnam could receive between 200-350mm of rainfall from Sunday to Tuesday, with some areas expecting up to 500mm. Authorities have urged residents to remain indoors, and Prime Minister Phan Minh Chinh has issued directives to bolster rescue and disaster response efforts.
Typhoon Ragasa, which previously impacted Taiwan and southern China before Bualoi, also wreaked havoc, underscoring the increasing frequency and strength of typhoons attributed to climate change. This year, the combined toll from both typhoons has left a notable death toll of over 26 individuals in the Philippines alone.
