Typhoon Bualoi to hit Vietnam during high tide, driving waves up to 7 meters

Vietnam is urgently mobilizing to brace for Typhoon Bualoi, which is forecast to strike the north-central coastline on Monday, coinciding with high tide and posing a severe threat to coastal defenses with waves expected to reach 5–7 meters.

During a national emergency meeting on Saturday, meteorologists reported that at noon, the storm was centered about 300 kilometers from the Paracel Islands, carrying sustained winds of 103–133 kph. Bualoi is moving west-northwest at a rapid pace of 35 kph and is projected to reach waters off Quang Tri–Quang Ngai by Sunday morning, approximately 120 kilometers from Hue.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep emphasized the storm’s unusual danger, noting the combination of high speed, intensifying winds, strong southwest monsoon gusts, and moisture drawn from the Bay of Bengal.

“When the storm is still 200 kilometers offshore, it can produce winds up to 166 kph. Upon landfall, winds are expected to reach 133 kph, with coastal gusts peaking at 149 kph. Its destructive effects will extend beyond central Vietnam, affecting both northern and southern regions,” Hiep said.

He highlighted the added risk of the typhoon arriving during high tide between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Monday. With a tidal range of 4 meters and a storm surge of 2 meters, sea levels in Thanh Hoa and Nghe An could climb higher, generating waves up to 5–7 meters, threatening dikes, aquaculture farms, and coastal communities.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha compared Bualoi to Typhoon Kajiki, which struck Thanh Hoa–Ha Tinh in late August, but stressed that this storm is significantly more dangerous. “Bualoi is moving extremely fast at 35–40 kph, gaining strength over the sea after crossing the Philippines. Landfall in Vietnam is almost certain,” he said, urging local authorities to accelerate preparations.

The National Steering Committee ordered all vessels to return to shore before noon on Saturday, prohibiting fishing activity after 5 p.m. Evacuations in high-risk areas are required to be completed by 5 p.m. Sunday. Hiep warned, “Do not wait until the evening. Once strong winds begin at 7 p.m. tomorrow, it will be too late.”

The Border Guard Command reported that nearly 68,000 vessels carrying 286,000 crew members have already been guided to safe harbors. Only 143 boats remain near the Paracels, but they have been warned and are leaving.

The Ministry of National Defense has deployed Military Regions 3, 4, and 5, along with the navy, air force, coast guard, and engineering units. Over 240,000 troops and 4,000 vehicles are on standby in the predicted impact zone to assist with evacuations, reinforce dikes, harvest crops, and conduct rescue operations by land, sea, and air.

Authorities cautioned that flood defenses from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri are under high stress. Vulnerable sections in Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Quang Tri have been ordered to be reinforced immediately, with emergency dike-protection measures ready in case the storm peaks during high tide.

Reservoirs in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh are being managed under inter-reservoir operation rules to prevent downstream flooding. However, some dams are already full, raising safety concerns. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is closely supervising hydropower operators to ensure water is released safely.

Telecommunications providers have pledged to maintain service, with backup systems ready in case of network failures. In Ha Tinh, expected to face a direct hit, officials plan to prevent power and communications disruptions similar to those caused by Typhoon Kajiki and are prepared to suspend classes if necessary.

Bualoi is the 10th storm in the South China Sea this year, following nine previous storms and four tropical depressions. While the most recent, Super Typhoon Ragasa, weakened into a tropical depression before reaching Vietnam and caused no damage, authorities stress that Bualoi is different: it is fast-moving, intensifying, and set to strike at peak strength, posing a significant threat to life, property, and infrastructure.