MANILA / HANOI — Tropical Storm Bualoi (local name Opong) tore across the central Philippines late Thursday, leaving at least 10 people dead and displacing hundreds of thousands, officials said Friday. The storm struck just days after Super Typhoon Ragasa had battered northern regions and spread chaos across Taiwan, China, and Vietnam.

Bualoi made landfall in Eastern Samar, then pushed across Masbate and into Bicol on Luzon, felling power lines, tearing off roofs and triggering floods and mudslides. Disaster authorities said three victims died in Masbate Province (one by falling tree, one by drowning, and another in a collapsing wall), and seven more perished elsewhere in central regions.

Over 433,000 people were evacuated from landslide- and flood-prone areas, including parts of Romblon and Leyte, as provincial governments scrambled to reopen ports and clear obstructed roads.

Widespread Disruption and Strain on Infrastructure

In anticipation of the storm, governments shut down schools, suspended ferry service and canceled more than 100 domestic flights.  Many hundreds of stranded passengers remained at over 100 ports.

Power outages were widespread. In Masbate and central Luzon provinces, damaged transmission lines and downed poles left entire communities in the dark.  Local officials pressed the central government for immediate aid and priority clearance to restore utility services.

Because Bualoi followed closely on the heels of Ragasa, many municipalities had yet to recover, compounding woes across agriculture, logistics, and shelter operations.

Storm’s Next Trajectory: Vietnam in the Crosshairs

While Bualoi has weakened slightly and is now officially classified as a severe tropical storm, forecasts suggest it may re-strengthen over the South China Sea.

Vietnamese authorities are already on alert. The country is still struggling with flooding and landslide risks triggered by Ragasa — now a tropical depression over northeastern Vietnam — and officials are mobilizing emergency response in its northern provinces, particularly Thanh Hoa and Nghe An.

Although Ragasa’s wind speeds diminished to 55 kph before entering Vietnam, its heavy rains triggered flooding and landslides in low-lying areas.

The Broader Storm Season Context

The 2025 Pacific typhoon season is shaping up to be intensely active. Ragasa was the first super typhoon of the season and is regarded as one of the most powerful storms to sweep the region this year.

Philippine forecasters say Bualoi is the 15th tropical cyclone to affect the country this year, placing further strain on disaster response systems.

The back-to-back storms have underscored vulnerabilities in infrastructure, disaster readiness, and regional coordination — especially in nations with frequent tropical cyclones.

Stakes: Lives, Livelihoods & Recovery

Local governments are racing to restore electricity, reopen roads, and clear flood debris to allow relief operations.

Agriculture — already damaged from Ragasa — faces renewed losses as floodwaters, wind, and soil erosion devastate crops and farmland in the path of Bualoi.

In Manila and surrounding communities, many evacuees are staying in emergency shelters, waiting for storm warnings to lift before returning home.

As Bualoi moves westward, the coming 48 hours will be critical. Fresh rainfall, renewed gusts, and saturated soils escalate the risk of flash floods and landslides. (zai)

Photo: Philippine Coast Guard