Vietnam evacuates thousands, shuts airports as Typhoon Bualoi nears
Authorities have suspended operations at four coastal airports, including Da Nang international airport, and adjusted the departure times of several flights.
VINH: Vietnam closed airports and evacuated thousands of people in areas under storm threat on Sunday (Sep 28), as intensifying Typhoon Bualoi barrelled towards the country, days after causing at least 10 deaths and widespread flooding in the Philippines.
The typhoon was generating winds of up to 133kmh as of 5pm local time and is forecast to make landfall in central Vietnam around 8am local time on Monday, slowing as it nears the coast, state-run Thanh Nien newspaper reported.
"This is a rapidly moving storm - nearly twice the average speed - with strong intensity and a broad area of impact," the national weather forecast agency said.
"It is capable of triggering multiple natural disasters simultaneously, including powerful winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, flash floods, landslides, and coastal inundation."
Northern and central provinces may see up to 600mm of rain through Oct 1, with rivers rising by 9m and risks of flooding and landslides, it said.
Authorities in the central province of Ha Tinh have started to evacuate more than 15,000 people, the government said, adding thousands of troops were standing ready.
Residents in Vinh, capital of Nghe An province where the typhoon is expected to make landfall, were rushing to secure homes, tie down boats, and stack sandbags or water-filled sacks on rooftops.
"We already suffered from losses from recent Typhoon Kajiki this year and haven't recovered yet," said Bui Thi Tuyet, a 41-year-old resident. "Over the last 20 years living here, I have not felt this terrified because of storms."
Vietnam suspended operations at four coastal airports from Sunday, including Da Nang International Airport, and adjusted the departure time of several flights, the Civil Aviation Authority said.
Schools in the typhoon-affected area will be closed on Monday, with closures potentially extended if necessary, according to news site VnExpress.
Heavy rain has already caused flooding in Hue and Quang Tri, the government said.
With a long coastline facing the South China Sea, Vietnam is prone to typhoons that are often deadly. Last year, Typhoon Yagi killed around 300 people and caused US$3.3 billion of property damage.
