Typhoon Bualoi Claims 13 Lives in Vietnam, Leaves Widespread Damage

Typhoon Bualoi struck Vietnam’s central coastline on Monday, resulting in at least 13 deaths and injuring 46 others, according to government reports. The storm, accompanied by fierce winds and heavy rains, caused significant damage to homes, disrupted power supplies, and flooded roads across the affected regions.

The typhoon made landfall early Monday and gradually weakened into a tropical depression as it moved toward Laos. The national meteorological agency reported that Bualoi generated waves reaching up to 8 meters (26 feet) high along the northern central coast.

Several fishermen remain missing after their vessels were swept away near Quang Tri province, with one fishing boat losing contact entirely, the government’s disaster management body confirmed.

Residents conveyed distress over the extreme weather conditions. "I stayed awake the entire night, fearing that the strong winds would tear off the door," said Ho Van Quynh from Nghe An province. Neighbors described a challenging night spent safeguarding their homes following a power outage at their apartment building. "Having experienced many storms, I can say this was among the strongest," remarked 45-year-old Nguyen Tuan Vinh.

Proactive measures were taken ahead of the typhoon’s arrival, with authorities evacuating more than 28,500 individuals. Additionally, the closure of four central provincial airports led to the delay or cancellation of hundreds of flights.

In Ninh Binh province, intense winds were responsible for nine deaths and seven injuries, while other fatalities included one person drowning in floodwaters in the city of Hue and another killed by a falling tree in Thanh Hoa province.

The government reported that over 44,000 homes suffered damage, nearly 6,000 hectares (approximately 14,800 acres) of rice fields and other crops were flooded, and access to certain areas was cut off due to the storm.

Despite the widespread destruction, no significant industrial damage has been announced. Major factories within or near the path of Typhoon Bualoi include those operated by Foxconn, Formosa Plastics, Luxshare, and Vinfast.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directed the defense and public security ministries to immediately deploy troops and police forces to support recovery and relief efforts.

The cyclone brought heavy rainfall across much of Vietnam starting Saturday, prompting warnings about the potential for severe floods and landslides. Water levels in rivers and reservoirs in Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Thanh Hoa provinces rose to concerning heights, while tens of thousands of families experienced power outages.

Weather officials forecast up to 500 millimeters (20 inches) of precipitation in several regions from Sunday night through Tuesday.

Vietnam’s lengthy coastline along the South China Sea makes it particularly susceptible to typhoons, which often develop east of the Philippines. Last week, Bualoi was responsible for at least 10 deaths in the Philippines before advancing toward Vietnam.