Vietnam is bracing for Typhoon Bualoi, shutting four coastal airports and evacuating tens of thousands of residents as the storm advances faster than anticipated.
Bualoi, with sustained winds of up to 133 kmph, is forecast to make landfall between Quang Tri and Nghe An provinces by evening today, according to Vietnam’s weather agency.
Already, flooding has struck cities such as Hue and Quang Tri, with low-lying streets swamped, and roofs torn off houses. In Quang Tri waters, two fishing vessels were caught in the storm: one sank, and the other was stranded.
Eight people have been rescued so far; three crew members remain missing amid challenging sea conditions.
Authorities report that more than 210,000 people in Da Nang, over 32,000 in Hue, and upwards of 15,000 in Ha Tinh are being relocated to safer areas.
The government has mobilised substantial resources, including 100,000 military personnel, to support rescue, evacuations and disaster response.
However, forecasters warn that Bualoi’s speed, which is almost twice that of a typical storm in the region, coupled with its broad radius, raises the risk of multiple hazards like storm surges of more than a metre, heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides, and coastal inundation.
Bualoi edges closer to Vietnam with gusts reaching Category 15 levels
Vietnamese officials say the storm’s forward speed is nearly double that of a typical typhoon in the region, raising fears it could unleash multiple disasters at once, from flash floods to coastal inundation.
The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that by early Sunday morning Bualoi was around 200km east of the central coast, moving northwest at 30-35 km/h with gusts reaching Category 15 levels.
Authorities have also banned fishing boats from putting to sea across northern and central provinces, while rescue forces and equipment have been placed on standby in case of landslides and flooding.
Forecasters warn some localities could see rainfall exceeding 600mm over the coming days, posing a severe threat to already saturated ground.
Shahana Yasmin28 September 2025 09:50
Vietnam on high alert as Typhoon Bualoi expected to make landfall tonight
Vietnam is preparing for the arrival of Typhoon Bualoi, which is expected to make landfall between Quang Tri and Nghe An provinces later today, according to the national weather agency.
The storm is carrying sustained winds of up to 133 km/h and moving nearly twice as fast as a typical typhoon in the region.
Authorities have ordered the evacuation of more than 250,000 people, suspended operations at four coastal airports including Danang, and recalled fishing boats to shore.
Heavy rain has already caused flooding in Hue and Quang Tri, and three fishermen remain missing after their vessel sank off the central coast.
Shahana Yasmin28 September 2025 09:27
