The impending storm, the 10th to hit the region this year, arrives as Northern Vietnam is still reeling from the catastrophic aftermath of historic flooding caused by Super Typhoon Ragasa just days ago, stretching the nation's emergency response resources thin.
A Rapidly Intensifying Threat
According to Vietnam's National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Typhoon Bualoi is currently moving over warm waters with favorable atmospheric conditions, allowing it to strengthen at an alarming rate.
International forecasters predict the storm could reach "super typhoon" status, with sustained wind speeds equivalent to a high-end Category 4 or Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale (corresponding to Vietnam's Category 16). This level of intensity poses a severe threat of destructive winds, storm surge, and torrential rainfall.
The typhoon is currently tracking in a West-Northwest direction, placing the central provinces of Vietnam directly in its projected path.
Vietnam on High Alert: Government Issues Urgent Warning
In response to the imminent threat, Vietnam's Prime Minister has issued an urgent dispatch ordering immediate preparations for the storm. Authorities in the provinces from Quảng Bình to Bình Định on the central coast, as well as the inland Central Highlands region, have been placed on high alert.
Key directives in the emergency order include:
Recalling all vessels: All fishing boats and maritime vessels have been ordered to return to port or seek safe shelter immediately.
Preparing for evacuations: Local governments are instructed to review and prepare evacuation plans for communities in low-lying coastal areas and regions prone to flooding and landslides.
Securing infrastructure: Authorities are to inspect and reinforce critical infrastructure, including dams, reservoirs, and public buildings.
A Nation Already Battered
The arrival of another powerful storm is a particularly grim development for Vietnam. The northern and north-central regions are currently in the midst of a massive recovery effort following the devastating impact of Super Typhoon Ragasa. The previous storm left a trail of destruction, causing historic flooding that has submerged tens of thousands of homes, destroyed crops, and triggered deadly landslides.
With emergency services, military personnel, and relief agencies already fully engaged in rescue and recovery operations in the north, the nation now faces the daunting task of preparing for a second major onslaught in the central region, a situation that will severely test its disaster response capabilities. The next 48 hours will be critical in monitoring Bualoi's intensification and finalizing preparations for its expected impact.
