Typhoon Bualoi Devastates Vietnam, Leaves 11 Dead

Mon Oct 20 2025 20:49:23 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Typhoon Bualoi has made landfall in Vietnam, claiming at least 11 lives and causing widespread destruction as search and rescue operations begin for the missing.

Typhoon Bualoi has wreaked havoc in central and northern Vietnam, killing at least 11 people while dozens remain missing after the storm caused flooding, destroyed homes, and disrupted transport. The storm, which followed the death toll from Super Typhoon Ragasa in the Philippines, has prompted urgent rescue efforts and government responses.

Typhoon Bualoi has killed at least 11 people and damaged hundreds of homes in the centre and north of Vietnam, according to state media.

Dozens are reported missing or injured following the storm's landfall on Sunday night, which flooded roads, washed away bridges, and damaged buildings. The typhoon is expected to weaken as it moves into neighboring Laos.

Before impacting Vietnam, Bualoi reportedly took the lives of more than 20 people in the Philippines.

With powerful winds and torrential rain, Typhoon Bualoi follows Super Typhoon Ragasa, which recently claimed at least 28 lives in the northern Philippines and Taiwan before making landfall in Hong Kong and China.

Notably, Bualoi hit Vietnam with winds of 117km/h (73mph) before easing to 74km/h (46mph) as it progressed into Laos, according to Vietnam's weather agency.

Rescue teams are currently searching for 17 fishermen lost at sea due to massive waves. Nearly 30,000 individuals were evacuated in Vietnam as the storm approached, and numerous flights experienced delays and cancellations over the weekend.

A resident in Nghe An province expressed fears regarding the storm's intensity, stating, 'I stayed awake the whole night fearing the door would be pulled off by strong winds.'

In the central province of Ha Tinh, power outages occurred due to downed power lines, and consistent heavy rains have inundated agricultural fields.

Authorities anticipate significant rain in northern Vietnam, with estimates of 200-350mm between Sunday and Tuesday, while some regions could see as much as 500mm.

Residents are advised to remain indoors. Prime Minister Phan Minh Chinh has issued urgent directives to enhance rescue and relief efforts.

In the wake of Typhoon Ragasa's impacts, which led to nearly two million evacuations in southern China and caused fatalities in Taiwan and the Philippines, the overall toll from Bualoi, Ragasa, and other September storms has increased to 26.

Experts warn that climate change may be exacerbating extreme weather conditions, leading to stronger and more frequent typhoons.