Hanoi, Vietnam (AP) – Intense rainfall and powerful winds from the former Typhoon Bualoi have wreaked havoc, leading to flooding on roads and the destruction of roofs, with reports confirming at least 12 fatalities in central Vietnam and additional deaths in Laos.
The storm devastated communities, damaging homes, schools, and electricity poles, while also destroying temporary bridges and flooding roads and low-lying areas in several states. Vehicles were submerged in the city, isolating many highland communities.
State media reported that rescuers are searching for 17 fishermen who remain missing.
The storm’s center made landfall near the Nghe border and on Laotian territory, featuring winds of 74 kph (46 mph). As the storm progressed deeper into Laos, winds decreased to between 39-61 kph (24-38 mph), with the system weakening into a tropical depression, according to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Prediction.
In response, Vietnamese authorities grounded fishing boats and closed four coastal airports. The nine fatalities occurred in the picturesque province of Ninh Binh, where strong winds severely damaged homes.
Nguen Nuguk, a local official in Thanh Hoa province, tragically lost his life when a tree fell on him while he was returning home after storm preparations. Another victim was swept away by flooding in Hue city, alongside a reported death in Da Nang.
In Quang Tri province, strong winds severed lines, causing fishing boats to drift, leaving nine crew members adrift; four were able to reach safety. In Gia Lai, a family reported losing contact with eight fishermen on a fishing expedition.
State media indicated that over 347,000 households lost power before the typhoon made landfall just after midnight on Sunday. Powerful gusts tore corrugated iron roofs from buildings, causing concrete pillars to fall.
Residents in Phong Na, famous for its expansive caves, described facing “severe gusts” and relentless rain.
“No one dares to go outside,” local resident Le Hang told state media outlet vNexpress.
In preparation for the approaching storm, Vietnam evacuated thousands from central and northern provinces. The storm made landfall at around 12:30 am in the coastal province of Ha Tinh, bringing wind speeds that peaked at 133 kph (83 mph) and storm surges exceeding 1 meter (3.2 feet).
Bualoi has already resulted in at least 20 deaths in the Philippines, with power outages reported in various towns and cities since Friday, attributed mainly to fallen trees and fatalities. Approximately 23,000 families were compelled to evacuate to over 1,400 emergency shelters.
This marked the second significant storm to threaten Asia in a week, with Typhoon Ragasa, one of the strongest in recent years, making landfall in China and causing at least 28 deaths in northern Philippines and Taiwan before weakening over Vietnam on Thursday.
Experts link such storms to global warming, asserting that warmer oceans intensify storm activity, resulting in stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and altered precipitation patterns across East Asia.
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Source: apnews.com