Typhoon Bualoi Slams Vietnam After Leaving 20 Dead in the Philippines
Hanoi | September 29, 2025 – Vietnam’s central provinces were hit by powerful winds and heavy rain on Monday as Typhoon Bualoi made landfall, forcing mass evacuations, disrupting transport, and leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity.
The storm, which had already claimed 20 lives in the Philippines last week, brought flash floods and landslides as it swept across Ha Tinh province with winds of up to 133 km/h and storm surges exceeding one metre.
Mass Evacuations and Closures
Authorities evacuated more than 240,000 residents from coastal and low-lying areas, including Da Nang and Hue, to reduce risks. Fishing boats were ordered back to shore, and operations at four major airports — including Danang International — were suspended.
Local reports confirmed that over 347,000 households lost power as gusts tore roofs from homes and toppled infrastructure. Streets in Hue were submerged, while a teenager was tragically electrocuted in floodwaters. One person was reported missing after being swept away, and rescue teams were deployed for stranded fishing crews.
Growing Risk of Flooding
Meteorologists warned that Bualoi’s slow movement inland could result in prolonged rainfall across Ha Tinh, Nghe An, and neighboring provinces, raising the threat of widespread flooding and landslides.
“The storm is likely to linger, bringing extended periods of strong winds and heavy rain,” said Dr. Hoang Phuc Lam of Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
Forecasts predict downpours could continue until October 1.
Impact Across the Region
Bualoi struck just days after Super Typhoon Ragasa battered parts of Asia, highlighting the increasing vulnerability of coastal nations to severe storms. Scientists link the rising intensity of such cyclones to climate change, with warmer ocean waters fueling stronger winds and heavier rainfall.
In the Philippines, Bualoi displaced more than 23,000 families and caused widespread damage to infrastructure before moving toward Vietnam. In China, where Ragasa had already forced mass evacuations, supply chains remain disrupted, and the latest storm is expected to further strain regional logistics.
Ongoing Alert in Vietnam
By Monday afternoon, wind speeds had dropped slightly to 117 km/h, but authorities urged residents in flood-prone areas to stay cautious, warning that swollen rivers and saturated ground could trigger additional flooding and landslides.
Disaster drills have become more frequent in Vietnam’s typhoon-prone provinces, but the scale of Bualoi’s impact underscores the continuing challenge of protecting vulnerable communities.
