The death toll in Vietnam from Typhoon Yagi and subsequent heavy rain that triggered floods and landslides climbed to 87 on Tuesday. Hundreds of other people have been injured and 70 are still missing, state media said. Typhoon Yagi was the strongest typhoon to hit Vietnam in decades when it made landfall on Saturday with winds of up to 92mph (149kph). It killed nine people and then weakened on Sunday, but continuing downpours triggered floods and landslides. Vietnamese state broadcaster VTV reported that 87 people have died and 70 remain missing. Most of the deaths were caused by flooding and landslides, it said. Water levels in several rivers, including the Red River that flows through the capital, Hanoi, were dangerously high. Authorities evacuated families living close to the river in Hanoi on Tuesday. On Monday, a bridge collapsed and a bus was swept away, while factories in northern provinces like Haiphong were damaged. One of the hardest-hit provinces is Cao Bang, where 19 people died and 36 others are missing because of landslides in the hilly area. A landslide in Cao Bang overturned a bus carrying about 20 people into a flooded stream on Monday. The vehicle was swept away and rescuers have only been able to save one person. Two bodies were recovered and the others remain missing, state media VN Express said. Heavy rain and landslides also killed 19 people in north-western Lao Cai province bordering China. Video obtained by the Associated Press showed soil sliding down a hill on to houses and a road as people fled for safety. A steel bridge in northern Phu Tho province collapsed into the Red River. Reports said 10 cars and trucks and two motorbikes fell into the river. Three people were rescued while 13 remain missing, state media said on Tuesday, adding that rescue operations are continuing.
The Unrelenting Storm's Aftermath
As the storm continues to wreak havoc, the death toll has tragically risen to 127. The tragedy doesn't end there – 54 people remain unaccounted for, adding to the already immense grief and anxiety gripping the nation. The relentless rainfall has turned the northern regions of Vietnam into a scene of devastation, displacing thousands from their homes and leaving countless others stranded in flooded areas.
Thousands Displaced
The relentless rainfall has caused widespread flooding across northern Vietnam. In Yen Bai province, over 59,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes. The rising waters have engulfed almost 18,000 homes, leaving many families without shelter.
Hanoi Faces Its Worst Flood in Years
The situation in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, is particularly dire. The city is experiencing its worst flood in 16 years, with water levels reaching heights last seen in 2008. The floodwaters have inundated many parts of the city, including the historic center. Hanoi residents are desperately seeking safe havens, with many evacuating to higher ground. Nguyen Thi Tham, a 60-year-old resident living near the Red River in Hanoi, described the situation as harrowing. “I have to leave everything behind as the water is rising too fast,” she said, clutching her two dogs. “I had to come to higher ground to save our lives. We could not bring any of the furniture with us. Everything is under water now.” The floodwaters have also caused widespread infrastructure damage. A bridge over the Red River in Phu Tho province collapsed, leaving eight people missing. Authorities have restricted traffic on several bridges in the area, including the Chuong Duong Bridge, one of the largest bridges in Hanoi. The government has issued flood warnings for many areas along the Red River, urging residents to be on high alert and prepare for potential evacuations.
Widespread Impact
Beyond Hanoi, the floodwaters have inundated several industrial areas, leading to damage and disruption in production. The full extent of the damage to major manufacturing facilities remains unclear. However, the government has estimated the cost of damage in Bac Giang province to be approximately 300 billion dong ($12.1m). The typhoon’s impact has also affected agriculture, with nearly 50,000 houses and over 73,000 acres of farmland damaged.
The Future Remains Uncertain
The storm, now weakened into a tropical depression, has moved westward, leaving behind a trail of destruction and a heavy sense of uncertainty. With the floodwaters continuing to rise and the threat of further landslides looming, the situation remains precarious. The government has implemented a number of measures to address the crisis, including evacuating residents from flood-prone areas, deploying soldiers to support flood victims, and seeking international assistance. However, the scale of the devastation and the ongoing threat of heavy rainfall raise concerns about the potential for further casualties and damage. The resilience of the Vietnamese people in the face of this natural disaster is commendable. However, the storm’s aftermath serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of coastal communities to extreme weather events, and the need for robust disaster preparedness and mitigation measures. As the world grapples with the impacts of climate change, such events are likely to become more frequent and intense, necessitating a global effort to enhance preparedness and resilience in the face of natural disasters.
