Vietnam evacuates thousands, shuts airports as Typhoon Bualoi nears
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The typhoon is expected to make landfall in central Vietnam late on Sept 28.
PHOTO: AFP
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HANOI – Vietnam closed airports and evacuated thousands of people in potentially affected areas on Sept 28 as intensifying Typhoon Bualoi barrelled towards the country, days after causing at least 10 deaths and widespread flooding in the Philippines
The typhoon was generating winds of up to 133kmh as at 1000 GMT and was forecast to make landfall in central Vietnam at around 0100 GMT (9am Singapore time) on Sept 29, slowing as it nears the coast, state-run Thanh Nien newspaper reported.
“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.
“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 may see up to 600mm of rain through Oct 1, with rivers rising by 9m and risks of flooding and landslides, it said.
Residents in Vinh, capital of Nghe An province where the typhoon is expected to make landfall, were rushing to secure homes, tie down boats and stack sandbags or water-filled sacks on rooftops.
“We already suffered losses from the recent Typhoon Kajiki this year and haven’t recovered yet,” said 41-year-old resident Bui Thi Tuyet.
“Over the last 20 years of living here, I have not felt this terrified because of storms.”
Vietnam suspended operations at four coastal airports from Sept 28, including Da Nang International Airport, and adjusted the departure time of several flights, the Civil Aviation Authority said.
Schools in the typhoon-affected area will be closed on Sept 29, with closures potentially extended if necessary, according to news site VnExpress.
The government said heavy rain has already caused flooding in Hue and Quang Tri.
With a long coastline facing the South China Sea, Vietnam is prone to typhoons that are often deadly. In 2024, Typhoon Yagi killed around 300 people and caused US$3.3 billion (S$4.3 billion) of property damage. REUTERS
