Typhoon Yagi’s Devastating Impact Leaves Vietnam Reeling

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Typhoon Yagi’s catastrophic force has claimed 59 lives in Vietnam while causing devastating floods and landslides.

At a Glance

  • A bus was swept away in the floods, and a bridge collapsed, raising the death toll in Vietnam to at least 64.
  • Typhoon Yagi made landfall, triggering heavy rains, floods, and landslides.
  • Twenty people on a bus were caught in a flooded stream, with four bodies recovered and others still missing.
  • Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh approved a $4.62 million recovery package for Haiphong city.
  • Typhoon Yagi is noted as the strongest typhoon in decades to impact Vietnam, with winds up to 149 kph (92 mph).

Typhoon Yagi’s Impact on Vietnam

Typhoon Yagi has unleashed unprecedented devastation across Vietnam. With at least 59 confirmed fatalities, the storm’s relentless rain and ferocious winds have precipitated severe floods and landslides, leaving communities in disarray. Critical infrastructure, including homes and agricultural lands, has been heavily damaged, making the recovery process daunting. Water levels in several northern rivers remain dangerously high, exacerbating the situation.

In the province of Cao Bang, a bus carrying 20 passengers was swept into a flooded stream. So far, only four bodies have been recovered, while one individual was rescued, and the remaining passengers are still missing. In Phu Tho province, a steel bridge collapsed, causing vehicles to plunge into the Red River and further increasing the number of missing persons.

Severe Damage to Infrastructure and Agriculture

The aftermath of Typhoon Yagi has been particularly acute in Haiphong province, where extensive damage to factories has halted production and caused power outages. Parts of Haiphong and Quang Ninh provinces remain without electricity. Nearly 100 enterprises have reported damage, resulting in significant financial loss running into millions of dollars. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has sanctioned a recovery package of $4.62 million specifically for Haiphong city.

“Floods and landslides are damaging the environment and threatening people’s lives,” reported the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Broader Consequences and Call for Action

The catastrophic floods and landslides, which also claimed the lives of six people and injured nine others in Sapa town, highlight the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness. Forecasts predict continued heavy rain in northwestern Vietnam, with some areas expected to receive up to 40 centimeters (15 inches) of rainfall. The agricultural sector has also suffered, with approximately 120,000 hectares of rice fields flooded and more than 1,500 fishing grounds decimated.

“Getting stronger due to climate change, primarily because warmer ocean waters provide more energy to fuel the storms, leading to increased wind speeds and heavier rainfall,” said Benjamin Horton, director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore.

In addition to the human toll, Typhoon Yagi uprooted more than 100,000 trees across various provinces. The economic implications are massive, with countless homes and businesses devastated. The international community’s support, combined with local authority action, is crucial in reclaiming normalcy for the affected populations. As Vietnam begins to recuperate, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need to strengthen infrastructures against natural disasters.

Sources

1. At least 59 dead in Vietnam as Typhoon Yagi triggers landslides, floods

2. Flooding sweeps away bus, bridge collapses in Vietnam as storm deaths rise to 59 after typhoon

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