Typhoon Bualoi pummels Vietnam, leaves 19 dead, 21 missing

International

TYPHOON Bualoi unleashed devastation across central Vietnam, claiming at least eleven lives and injuring dozens more as it slammed into the coast and lingered inland.

Authorities said the powerful storm tore off roofs, uprooted electricity poles, flooded roads, and caused widespread damage in several provinces

In a report by BBC, the typhoon made landfall late on Sunday bringing sustained winds estimated around 130 km/h. In its wake, intense rainfall and storm surges added to the destruction.

In coastal provinces such as Nghe An and Ha Tinh, entire neighborhoods were left wwithout power, schools shuttered, and many homes partially or totally damaged.

Officials in Ninh Binh province also confirmed that nine fatalities were recorded there alone, many caused by collapsing walls and falling debris under strong winds.

Rescuers are also searching for 17 fishermen who are missing after their boats were hit by huge waves.

Vietnam's Government mobilized emergency response teams deploying military and public security forces to assist in search rescue and relief operations.

A total of 28,500 people were evacuated ahead of the storm, and four domestic airports were closed, disrupting flights across central provinces.

Before striking Vietnam, Bualoi had already caused at least ten deaths in the Philippines, mostly due to flooding and falling trees. Now weakened below typhoon strenht, the system is currently tracked as a tropical storm or tropical depression as it pushes inland toward Laos.