Devastating Impact of Typhoon Bualoi in Vietnam: A Call for Community Resilience

Wed Oct 22 2025 04:27:38 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Typhoon Bualoi wreaks havoc in Vietnam, causing devastating loss of life and property, prompting leaders to prioritize emergency response and community resilience.

Typhoon Bualoi has caused widespread destruction in Vietnam, resulting in at least 11 fatalities, significant property damage, and numerous injuries. The storm's impact has extended to neighboring Laos, with local authorities emphasizing the need for urgent rescue operations. Residents have been advised to remain indoors as heavy rainfall continues to threaten the region. This event highlights the increasing severity of typhoons linked to climate change, underlining the importance of community resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

Typhoon Bualoi has killed at least 11 people and damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes in the centre and north of Vietnam, state media reported. Dozens are missing or injured after the typhoon made landfall on Sunday night, flooding roads, washing away bridges and tearing roofs off buildings before weakening and moving into neighbouring Laos.

Bualoi has already killed more than 20 people in the Philippines since Friday. It's the latest storm to batter the region with powerful winds and rain. Last week, Super Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest storm of 2025, was responsible for at least 28 deaths across the northern Philippines and Taiwan before making landfall in Hong Kong and China.

Typhoon Bualoi packed winds of 117km/h (73mph) when it made landfall in central Vietnam. As it moved into Laos, its maximum wind speed decreased to 74km/h (46mph). Rescuers are currently searching for 17 fishermen who are among the missing after their boats were hit by huge waves. Nearly 30,000 people were evacuated in Vietnam in anticipation of the typhoon.

Dozens of flights were delayed or cancelled over the weekend. A local resident from Nghe An province shared their experience: I stayed awake the whole night fearing the door would be pulled off by strong winds. The central province of Ha Tinh faced a blackout after power lines were downed by the storm, while torrential rains flooded crop fields.

The typhoon is expected to bring 200-350mm of rain in northern Vietnam between Sunday and Tuesday, with some areas experiencing rainfall up to 500mm. Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Minh Chinh has issued urgent instructions to enhance rescue and relief efforts.

Last week's Typhoon Ragasa affected southern China, where nearly two million people were evacuated. It caused heavy flooding and landslides, resulting in 14 fatalities in Taiwan after a barrier lake overflowed. The overall toll from Bualoi, Ragasa, and another tropical storm in September has now risen to 26 in the Philippines.

This situation reflects the broader challenges of climate change, as extreme weather events, including typhoons, become increasingly severe and frequent.