HCMC – Storm Bualoi swept across northern and central Vietnam today, September 29, leaving at least seven people dead, 12 missing, and nearly 20 injured, while damaging tens of thousands of homes and crippling power and transport networks, reported the Vietnam News Agency.
Quang Tri: houses collapsed, farmland inundated
In Quang Tri Province, the storm left 12 people missing and destroyed or unroofed 11 houses. Public infrastructure, including schools and irrigation systems, was severely damaged.
Nearly 25 hectares of crops were submerged, while riverbanks and sea dikes eroded over hundreds of meters, cutting into paved roads. Landslides blocked major provincial roads and sections of the Ho Chi Minh Road’s western branch.
Nghe An: streets blocked, town without power
In Nghe An Province, the storm uprooted trees, blocked streets, and damaged many public buildings. The former Vinh City remained without electricity as of September 29, with local authorities and residents working to clear debris. Several cars were crushed by falling trees, and many homes and schools were unroofed.
Ha Tinh: over 42,000 homes damaged
Ha Tinh was among the hardest-hit provinces. The storm damaged nearly 43,000 houses, more than 160 schools and medical facilities, and toppled over 1,100 power poles, leaving the entire province without electricity overnight. By noon on September 29, only four communes had power restored. Telecommunications services were also disrupted.
According to the Agriculture and Environment Department of Ha Tinh Province, the storm left one person dead in an accident while repairing a damaged house and nine others injured in various wards and communes.
Key industrial facilities at Vung Ang Economic Zone and Gia Lach Industrial Park reported serious damage, including collapsed warehouses, destroyed conveyor belts at the Viet-Lao Port, and flooded solar panels at factories.
In agriculture, nearly 1,000 hectares of crops and 158 hectares of aquaculture farms were ruined, with 20 tons of farmed fish lost.
Thanh Hoa: flooding and mass evacuations
In Thanh Hoa, more than 17,000 residents were evacuated from flood-prone areas this morning. Heavy rains and flooding caused widespread road damage and cut off mountain communes.
About 338,000 households lost power as 65 power lines and 2,800 transformers went offline. Authorities also warned of rising water levels on local rivers and released water from hydropower reservoirs to prevent overflow.
Ninh Binh: six dead in whirlwinds
In Ninh Binh, violent whirlwinds triggered by the storm left six people dead and seven injured. The winds also destroyed or damaged dozens of houses and tore the roof off a school in Kim Dong Commune. Power infrastructure suffered heavy losses, with 30 utility poles broken and several power lines cut. Local authorities sent rescue teams to the hardest-hit areas.
Lao Cai: infrastructure losses estimated at VND5 billion
In Lao Cai, heavy rains and thunderstorms damaged nearly 250 homes and 190 hectares of crops, with one house completely destroyed. Landslides blocked a provincial road with 30,000 cubic meters of debris, while six power poles and dozens of trees fell. Two people were injured. Initial losses were estimated at VND5 billion.
Authorities step up recovery efforts
Across affected provinces, local governments have deployed rescue forces, cleared debris, and worked to restore electricity and telecommunications. Evacuations and flood control measures continue as rivers rise in several areas.
