Typhoon Bualoi Kills 51 in Vietnam; Banks Asked to Aid Affected Firms

Post by : Monika

A powerful storm called Typhoon Bualoi has caused serious damage in Vietnam. As of October 3, 2025, the death toll has reached 51 people. Many more are missing, and hundreds are injured. The government is asking banks to support businesses hit by the disaster.

What Happened

The typhoon struck northern central Vietnam on Monday. It brought strong winds, heavy rain, and large waves that struck coastal areas. As the storm moved inland, flooding and damage followed.

Officials report 14 people are still missing, and 164 others are injured. The storm damaged roads, schools, public offices, and cut electricity to many homes.

Over 230,000 houses were either destroyed or flooded. Nearly 89,000 hectares of rice fields and other crops were ruined, causing huge losses for farmers.

Damage Costs and Infrastructure Impact

At first, the government estimated damages at about 435.8 million USD. But after assessment, that figure soared to 15.9 trillion dong, which is about 603 million USD.

Infrastructure damage was severe: roads washed out, bridges weakened, power lines down. Tens of thousands of people lost electricity, which affected daily life and hampered rescue efforts.

Despite the broad damage, major industrial properties and big factories in the storm’s path—such as those owned by Foxconn, Luxshare, Formosa Plastics, Vinfast—were not significantly harmed, according to reports.

Government Response & Banking Measures

To help victims and businesses recover, Vietnam’s central bank has told commercial lenders to restructure or freeze loans for affected firms. This means banks may delay loan payments or ease terms for companies impacted by the typhoon.

• The deputy governor, Pham Thanh Ha, emphasized that banks should act with flexibility so businesses can rebuild without being pushed down by debt.
• This measure aims to prevent bankruptcies and job losses in regions heavily hit by the storm.

Human Toll and Community Impact

Behind the numbers are families left grieving, farmers who can’t plant crops this season, and people without homes or power. Many communities in affected areas are now struggling to get basic services and rebuild infrastructure.

Schools have been damaged or closed. Government offices in some towns are unusable. Many people are displaced, staying with relatives or in temporary shelters.

In rural areas, where people depend on farming, the crop losses are especially tragic. Without rice or other produce, many farmers may face food shortages or income loss for months.

Challenges in Recovery

Recovery will not be easy:

• Logistics and access: Many roads were destroyed or flooded, making it hard to bring in supplies, rescue teams, and aid.
• Power restoration: Rebuilding power lines and restoring electricity is vital, yet this takes time.
• Agriculture recovery: Replanting crops and restoring fields damaged by saltwater floods or mud will take effort and resources.
• Financial stability: Even with loan support, small businesses and farmers without savings can struggle to rebound.
• Emotional trauma: Loss of life and property weighs heavily on survivors, requiring psychological support.
• The government and local authorities must coordinate rescue, rebuilding, and financial support for months to come.

Why This Matters

Typhoon Bualoi is a reminder of how vulnerable coastal and low-lying regions are to climate disasters. As storms grow stronger, the damage becomes more severe.

Undersea cables, power grids, transport networks, homes—when any of these break, the ripple effect is wide. People lose access to health care, communication, commerce, and safety.

Vietnam is a nation that relies significantly on agriculture and coastal economies. A storm of this scale threatens not only lives but food security, incomes, and economic stability.

The decision by the central bank to ask banks to help is a crucial step. Without financial relief, many businesses may close, affecting employment and the national economy.

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