Typhoon Bualoi Devastates Vietnam; 11 Dead, Many Missing

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Typhoon Bualoi has resulted in at least 11 deaths in Vietnam, with severe damage to homes and infrastructure in the central and northern regions. Dozens are missing or injured after the typhoon hit on Sunday night, causing flooding, destroying bridges, and tearing roofs from buildings. The storm has since weakened as it moved into Laos.

The typhoon follows a recent spate of severe weather in the region. Prior to hitting Vietnam, Bualoi claimed over 20 lives in the Philippines since Friday. This comes on the heels of Super Typhoon Ragasa, which led to 28 deaths in the northern Philippines and Taiwan before affecting Hong Kong and China last week.

Initially packing winds of 117 km/h (73 mph), Bualoi weakened to 74 km/h (46 mph) upon entering Laos. Rescuers are currently searching for 17 missing fishermen whose boats were capsized by intense waves. As a precautionary measure, nearly 30,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable areas in Vietnam.

The storm also caused significant travel disruptions over the weekend, with many flights delayed or canceled. "I stayed awake the whole night fearing the door would be pulled off by strong winds," a Nghe An province resident recounted. Ha Tinh province experienced a blackout due to downed power lines, while many agricultural fields were inundated.

Heavy rains of 200-350mm are expected to continue in northern Vietnam through Tuesday, with possible peaks of 500mm in certain regions. Authorities have urged residents to remain indoors for safety. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for enhanced rescue and relief operations.

The recent pattern of extreme weather is attributed to climate change, which is intensifying and increasing the frequency of such events. Super Typhoon Ragasa brought similar devastation to southern China, prompting the evacuation of nearly two million people. It also caused landslides and flooding in Taiwan, resulting in 14 fatalities.

The toll from recent storms including Bualoi, Ragasa, and another from September has reached 26 in the Philippines. As recovery and rescue efforts continue, the urgency of addressing climate resilience grows.

Key Takeaways

• Typhoon Bualoi has killed 11 and injured many in Vietnam.
• Nearly 30,000 people were evacuated ahead of the storm's landfall.
• Vietnam braces for further rainfall, complicating rescue efforts.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-09-30