13-9-2024 (HANOI) The aftermath of Typhoon Yagi continues to unfold across Vietnam, with the government’s disaster agency reporting a staggering death toll of 226 as of Thursday. The powerful storm, which made landfall on Saturday along Vietnam’s northeastern coast, has left a trail of destruction in its wake, triggering landslides and flash floods throughout the region.
Typhoon Yagi, deemed the strongest storm to hit Asia this year, has inflicted widespread damage across the Southeast Asian nation. In addition to the mounting death toll, over 100 individuals remain unaccounted for, and approximately 800 people have sustained injuries, according to the latest government report.
The capital city, Hanoi, has been particularly hard-hit, with several districts still submerged. Earlier in the week, authorities evacuated thousands of residents living near the swollen Red River as water levels rose to a 20-year high. However, late on Thursday, the government’s weather forecast agency reported that the river had reached its peak in Hanoi and begun to recede, offering a glimmer of hope to the beleaguered city.
Skye Maconachie, co-CEO of the charity Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, described the emotional toll on the city’s residents: “There’s a lot of heartbreak in the city and there was a lot of concern going into the evening. Many people who barely had anything have lost everything.”
While the situation in Hanoi shows signs of improvement, the northern regions of Vietnam continue to grapple with severe flooding and landslides. In Thai Nguyen province, home to Samsung Electronics’ largest smartphone manufacturing plant in Vietnam, residents are beginning the arduous process of recovery as flood waters recede.
Hoang Van Ty, a local resident, expressed his disbelief at the extent of the flooding: “I never thought my house would be under water this deep. My clothes and furniture were all under the water. Many things were floating around too, but luckily I closed the doors so nothing was washed away.”
The impact of the typhoon extends beyond residential areas, affecting crucial infrastructure and industry. More than 200,000 hectares of rice and cash crop fields across northern Vietnam have been inundated, according to the disaster management agency. Power supplies have been disrupted, and several factories in Haiphong and Quang Ninh provinces have had their roofs blown off, halting production.
In Lao Cai province, a particularly tragic situation is unfolding in Nu Village, where authorities are desperately searching for 55 people missing after a flash flood on Tuesday. The Vietnam News Agency reports that the flood has already claimed 46 lives and injured 17 others in the village. A massive search and rescue effort is underway, involving 300 soldiers and 359 local officials.
As Vietnam struggles to cope with the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, the international community has begun to respond. Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the United States have all pledged to send aid to the stricken nation.
