By Eniola Amadu
Typhoon Bualoi has battered Vietnam’s northern central coast, killing at least 13 people and injuring 46, according to government officials.
The storm, which made landfall early in the day, brought strong winds, heavy rainfall and waves as high as eight metres, before weakening into a tropical depression and moving toward neighbouring Laos.
Vietnam’s disaster management agency said the casualties included nine people killed in Ninh Binh province by strong winds, one in Hue city who drowned in floodwaters, and another in Thanh Hoa province who died when a tree fell.
READ ALSO: Vietnam shuts airports, evacuates thousands ahead of typhoon Bualoi
Fishermen were also reported missing after their boats were washed away off Quang Tri province, while another vessel lost contact.
The government said more than 28,500 people were evacuated before the storm’s arrival.
Four airports in central provinces were closed, leading to widespread flight cancellations and delays.
In several provinces, power lines were snapped, homes damaged and roads inundated, leaving thousands stranded.
Residents described a night of fear as the storm hit. “I stayed awake the whole night, fearing the door would be pulled off by strong winds,” said Ho Van Quynh of Nghe An province.
Another resident, Nguyen Tuan Vinh, 45, said, “I’ve witnessed many storms, and this is one of the strongest.”
Authorities reported that Bualoi damaged more than 44,000 homes, submerged nearly 6,000 hectares of rice and other crops, and cut access to a number of areas.
Tens of thousands of families were left without electricity as rivers and reservoirs in Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Thanh Hoa rose to dangerous levels.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ordered the defence and public security ministries to deploy troops and police to assist with rescue operations and recovery efforts.
The national weather agency warned of continued risks of flooding and landslides as rainfall of up to 500 mm was forecast in some areas through Tuesday.
READ ALSO: Typhoon Kajiki leaves three dead, causes widespread damage in Vietnam
Vietnam is frequently hit by powerful storms due to its long coastline along the South China Sea. Typhoon Bualoi had earlier killed at least 10 people in the Philippines last week before sweeping into Vietnam.
