Typhoon Yagi wreaked havoc in Vietnam, causing widespread destruction and claiming the lives of at least 59 people. After making landfall on Saturday, the typhoon weakened to a tropical depression but brought heavy rainfall that led to floods and landslides. As a result, nine people were killed during the typhoon, and an additional 50 lost their lives in the subsequent floods and landslides.
The northern regions of Vietnam were particularly affected, with dangerously high water levels in several rivers. In Cao Bang province, a passenger bus carrying 20 people was swept away by a landslide and fell into a flooded stream. Rescue operations were hindered by landslides blocking the rescue path. Meanwhile, in Phu Tho province, a steel bridge over the Red River collapsed, causing 10 cars and trucks, along with two motorbikes, to plunge into the river. Three individuals were rescued, but 13 others remain missing.
One survivor, Pham Truong Son, shared his harrowing experience of driving on the collapsed bridge. He described hearing a loud noise and suddenly finding himself falling into the river. Son managed to swim and cling to a drifting banana tree until he was rescued. The bridge collapse and the bus incident highlight the dangerous conditions faced by individuals during the typhoon.
The economic impact of the typhoon is also significant. Dozens of businesses in Haiphong province were unable to resume production due to extensive damages to their factories. Roofs were blown apart, and water seeped into industrial units, damaging finished goods and expensive equipment. Some companies were still without electricity, and it would take at least a month for them to resume production. Haiphong and Quang Ninh provinces, both major industrial hubs, were still without power due to toppled electricity poles. Initial estimates indicate that nearly 100 enterprises suffered damage, resulting in millions of dollars in losses.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Haiphong city and approved a $4.62 million package to aid in the city’s recovery efforts. The government aims to support affected areas and help businesses get back on their feet.
Typhoon Yagi’s impact on Vietnam underscores the increasing severity of storms due to climate change. Benjamin Horton, director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore, explains that warmer ocean waters provide more energy to fuel storms, leading to stronger winds and heavier rainfall. As such, it is crucial for communities to be prepared and resilient in the face of these extreme weather events.
Aside from Vietnam, Typhoon Yagi also caused devastation in the Philippines and southern China. In the Philippines, the typhoon claimed 20 lives, while southern China reported four deaths. Infrastructure losses in Hainan island province alone amounted to $102 million, with thousands of houses collapsed or damaged, power and water outages, and impassable roads due to fallen trees.
The aftermath of Typhoon Yagi serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and invest in infrastructure to mitigate the impact of such storms. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, governments and communities must work together to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected.
