Prime Minister urges proactive response to typhoon Bualoi

THE HANOI TIMES — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued an urgent directive, urging localities to remain on the highest alert as Typhoon Bualoi approaches.

Typhoon Bualoi entered the East Sea on the night of September 26 (as Vietnam’s Storm No. 10) with winds of force 11–12, gusts up to 15, and is forecast to intensify and move rapidly toward north-central and northern Vietnam, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

The storm poses risks of strong winds, heavy rain, flash floods, landslides, inundation, and threats to dam safety. The prime minister's directive called for agencies and coastal localities from Quang Ninh to Khanh Hoa to prioritize human safety, maintain the highest level of preparedness, and avoid passivity.

Localities, particularly from Thanh Hoa to Quang Ngai, must bring vessels to safe harbors, protect infrastructure, review evacuation plans, and ready rescue forces before landfall.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is required to coordinate with forecasting agencies to deliver timely updates and direct measures to safeguard fishing vessels, dikes, reservoirs and agricultural production, especially aquaculture at sea.

Other ministries have been tasked to secure facilities under their management and ensure safety in transport, tourism, shipping, oil and gas operations, power, telecommunications, education and healthcare.

The Ministries of National Defense and Public Security are mobilizing forces for evacuation and search-and-rescue, while media outlets are stepping up coverage and public guidance to help minimize damage.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has been assigned to continue directing agencies and localities, while the Government Office will oversee implementation and report emerging issues to the prime minister.

Vietnam, among Asia’s most disaster-prone countries, sits on the path of Pacific storms and endures annual typhoons, floods and landslides that disrupt livelihoods and endanger low-lying and coastal infrastructure.

This high exposure to extreme weather makes disaster preparedness a top national priority and Typhoon Bualoi prompts swift government action to protect lives and property.