Typhoon Bualoi: Vietnam on high alert, evacuates thousands, shuts airports as Typhoon nears landfall

Hanoi: Asian country Vietnam is on high alert and has evacuated 250,000 people as Typhoon Bualoi is about to make its landfall in central coast, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday. The country has deployed about 100,000 military personnel to speed up the evacuation process. The storm, with a wind speed of 130 kmph, is expected to make landfall later on Sunday, the Vietnam meteorology agency said. Notably, it is the 10th typhoon to hit the Asian country this year.

What Did The MET Department Say?

“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.

Vietnam PM Calls For The “Highest Level Of Readiness”

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has urged for maximum preparedness as the storm approaches Vietnamese waters, Al Jazeera reported. The authorities have shut four major airports, fishing boats were ordered to come back to harbour.

Fishermen Reported Missing

Al Jazeera also reported that three fishermen from Ho Chi Minh City were missing after one vessel sank and another was disabled by large waves off Quang Tri province. Eight others were rescued. The stranded boats were spotted about 1.5km from the mouth of the Cua Viet Channel.

Residents Moved To Safer Place

In Da Nang, the country’s largest city, more than 210,000 residents are being moved to safer ground, state media said. About 32,000 people in Hue, near coastal areas, are also being evacuated.

Al Jazeera reported that local authorities in Da Nang mobilised more than 200 workers with trucks, stone, sand, bamboo stakes, and sacks to reinforce the coastline ahead of the storm.

(with agency inputs)