With 51 casualties and over $328 million in damages, Vietnam braces for continued extreme weather.
In September, four tropical storms swept across the East Sea, with Storm No. 10 causing particularly severe damage. Forecasts for October suggest the possibility of one or two additional storms or tropical depressions affecting mainland Vietnam.
This year's storm season has been exceptionally active. From storms No. 7 through No. 10, all developed in just one month. Among them, Storm No. 10, Bualoi, left widespread destruction in its wake with heavy rainfall, severe flooding, and extreme weather phenomena, causing significant human and material losses.
As October begins, unusual climate patterns continue, prompting authorities and residents to remain highly alert and prepared for further developments.
Four storms in one month
Statistics show that four storms formed over the East Sea in September alone. Storms No. 7 (Tapah) and No. 8 (Mitag) moved quickly and had little direct impact on Vietnam. However, storms No. 9 (Ragasa) and No. 10 (Bualoi) had considerable effects.
Storm No. 10 in particular caused widespread damage that local authorities and communities will take a long time to recover from.
Bualoi originated in the eastern Philippine Sea and strengthened to level 12, with gusts reaching level 15, before making landfall between Quang Tri and Nghe An. Experts classified it as the strongest storm of 2025 so far. Due to its large circulation, the storm caused prolonged rainfall in North Central and Northern Vietnam, with some areas recording 350-500mm of rain. Rivers rose rapidly, surpassing alarm level 3 in multiple locations.
Provinces from Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh suffered widespread flooding and dike erosion. The Red River Delta was also affected, with intense rain reaching Hanoi on September 30, triggering severe urban flooding.
Additionally, eight tornadoes struck northern provinces, causing heavy losses of life and property.
Experts note that the defining feature of this September was the series of strong storms that caused widespread and extreme rainfall, significantly increasing economic and social damage compared to the same period in previous years.