Hanoi: Northern and central Vietnam are reeling after Typhoon Bualoi struck the region, claiming the lives of 19 people and leaving 21 others missing. The storm made landfall on Monday, bringing heavy rains, strong winds, and massive waves that triggered severe flooding across several provinces, including Hanoi.

The typhoon has caused extensive damage, destroying over 100,000 homes, mainly in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces. Vast areas of farmland were submerged, with more than 10,000 hectares of rice and other crops flooded. In Hanoi, streets were heavily inundated, paralyzing traffic and forcing residents to evacuate as water levels in some villages rose nearly to the rooftops.

Several northern villages remain cut off due to flooding and power outages. Authorities have warned of continued heavy rains, with some areas recording more than 300 millimeters in the past 24 hours, raising concerns about landslides and flash floods.

Typhoon Bualoi had earlier impacted the Philippines, where it claimed at least 10 lives. The storm underscores the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events and highlights the need for effective disaster preparedness and relief efforts.