After claiming 11 lives in the Philippines, Tropical Storm Bualoi struck central Vietnam on Sunday, bringing floods, landslides and airport closures, Germany’s dpa news agency reported, citing state media.
The fast-moving storm made landfall in central Vietnam on Sunday night, earlier than initially forecast. With maximum sustained winds of more than 130 kilometers per hour, it hit the coast north of Vinh City in Nghe An Province.
However, the storm’s “outer bands” had already triggered flooding in the central region, with the coastal city of Da Nang reporting floods on Saturday.
Vietnam’s meteorological agency warned the storm could cause flash floods, landslides and waves up to two meters high along the coast. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep told local media wind speeds could reach 133 kilometers per hour, with gusts approaching 150 kilometers per hour.
Local authorities banned boats from going to sea before noon on Saturday, moving nearly 68,000 vessels into safe harbors. More than 240,000 soldiers were put on standby to respond in severely affected areas.
Heavy rain lashed central provinces including Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Quang Tri, cutting off dozens of villages and triggering widespread flooding and landslides.
Four airports — including Da Nang International Airport — suspended flights on Sunday and Monday. Heavy downpours are expected to bring 100 to 300 millimeters of rain to northern and central provinces through Tuesday.
