Typhoon Bualoi Claims Three Lives in Central Philippines Amid Widespread Disruptions

At least three people lost their lives in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Bualoi intensified into a typhoon before making landfall on Thursday, sweeping across central islands and the southern part of Luzon. This event occurred just days after Super Typhoon Ragasa devastated northern regions, causing 14 deaths in the Philippines and additional casualties in Taiwan.

Bualoi struck Eastern Samar in central Philippines before moving westward through Masbate and the Bicol region of southern Luzon. Authorities have confirmed the three fatalities occurred in Masbate province: one individual was fatally struck by a falling tree, another drowned, and a third died when a wall collapsed.

Masbate Governor Antonio Kho urgently appealed for central government assistance during a media briefing, emphasizing the immediate need to clear debris, restore electricity, and reopen critical ports to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The storm brought intense rainfall, strong winds, power interruptions, and damage to crops and infrastructure across Southern Luzon. Ahead of the storm, local governments conducted preemptive evacuations affecting hundreds of thousands, including residents of Metro Manila. JC Borromeo, displaced with his three children, shared his concerns from an evacuation center, noting the risks posed by rising river waters near their home.

Bualoi features maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour with gusts reaching up to 135 kph. Meteorological agencies forecast that the storm will regain typhoon strength as it advances toward Vietnam.

The Vietnamese government issued warnings for the northern and central coastal regions, expecting the storm to arrive by Monday, September 28. Officials anticipate heavy downpours between September 28 and September 30, posing risks of severe flooding in urban, industrial, and low-lying areas. Rainfall accumulations could reach 150 millimeters within 24 hours, according to the national weather service.

The progression of Bualoi underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Southeast Asian nations during this active storm season, intensifying the need for preparedness and swift disaster response.