By Eniola Amadu
Vietnam closed airports and began evacuating thousands of residents as Typhoon Bualoi intensified while moving toward the country’s central region, days after the storm caused at least 10 deaths and extensive flooding in the Philippines.
As of 1000 GMT, Bualoi was generating sustained winds of up to 133 km/h (83 mph) and was expected to make landfall in central Vietnam around 0100 on Monday, according to state-run Thanh Nien newspaper. The storm was forecast to slow as it neared the coast.
“This is a rapidly moving storm—nearly twice the average speed—with strong intensity and a broad area of impact,” the national weather forecast agency said in a statement.
“It is capable of triggering multiple natural disasters simultaneously, including powerful winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, flash floods, landslides, and coastal inundation.”
Northern and central provinces could receive up to 600 mm of rainfall through October 1, with river levels projected to rise by as much as 9 meters, raising risks of floods and landslides.
Authorities in Ha Tinh province said more than 15,000 residents were being evacuated, while thousands of troops were placed on standby.
In Vinh, the capital of neighboring Nghe An province where the storm is forecast to make landfall, residents rushed to secure their homes, tie down boats, and stack sandbags on rooftops.
“We already suffered losses from recent Typhoon Kajiki this year and haven’t recovered yet,” said Bui Thi Tuyet, a 41-year-old resident. “Over the last 20 years living here, I have not felt this terrified because of storms.”
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam suspended operations at four coastal airports, including Da Nang International Airport, and rescheduled several flights.
Schools in affected provinces will close on Monday, with the possibility of extended closures, according to local news outlet VnExpress.
Heavy rainfall has already caused flooding in Hue and Quang Tri provinces, government officials reported.
Vietnam, with a long coastline along the South China Sea, is frequently exposed to typhoons. Last year, Typhoon Yagi killed around 300 people and caused an estimated $3.3 billion in property damage.
