VIETNAM has begun evacuating thousands of residents and shutting down key airports as Typhoon Bualoi barrels towards its central coastline, bringing with it the threat of widespread flooding, landslides and severe winds.
Reuters reported today that the typhoon, which has already caused at least ten deaths in the Philippines, was packing winds of up to 133 kilometres per hour as of early Sunday, according to Vietnam’s national weather forecast agency.
It is now expected to make landfall earlier than initially predicted due to its rapid movement.
"This is a rapidly moving storm—nearly twice the average speed—with strong intensity and a broad area of impact. It is capable of triggering multiple natural disasters simultaneously, including powerful winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, flash floods, landslides, and coastal inundation," the agency said in a statement.
In response, authorities in Ha Tinh province began evacuating more than 15,000 residents from high-risk areas, the government confirmed. Thousands of troops have been placed on standby across the region to support emergency response efforts.
Four coastal airports, including Danang International Airport, suspended operations from Sunday. Several flight schedules were also adjusted to ensure passenger safety, the Civil Aviation Authority announced.
Heavy rainfall linked to the typhoon has already triggered flooding in the central provinces of Hue and Quang Tri.
Vietnam, which has an extensive coastline facing the South China Sea, is regularly struck by powerful storms. Last year, Typhoon Yagi claimed around 300 lives and caused an estimated US$3.3 billion in property damage. - September 28, 2025
