Dozens Dead and Missing as Supertyphoon Yagi Hits Vietnam

Vietnamese authorities are working tirelessly to address the aftermath of supertyphoon Yagi, which struck the country over the weekend. The storm, packing winds of up to 125 mph, has resulted in the deaths of 59 individuals, injured hundreds more, and left extensive destruction in its wake.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the majority of fatalities were due to landslides, with one particularly devastating event in Hoa Binh province claiming the lives of a family of four. In Lao Cai province, located near the China border, six individuals were killed, while nine were successfully rescued from beneath the debris; however, two people remain unaccounted for.

Tragically, the storm’s toll included a newborn baby and a 1-year-old boy among the fatalities from the mudslide, highlighting the severe impact on families.

In Phu Tho province, rescuers are intensively searching the Red River for 13 people reported missing due to the collapse of the Phong Chau Bridge. Video footage shared online shows parts of the bridge still standing, but significant sections were swept away, taking with them ten cars and two scooters.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has directed ministries, departments, and local authorities to prioritize the response to the bridge collapse, as well as to address the widespread floods, rain, and landslides affecting both the mountainous and lower-lying areas of northern Vietnam.

During a visit to the landslide site in Sa Pa town, Lao Cai province, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan urged local officials to adopt more proactive disaster prevention measures. He emphasized the importance of adaptability in responding to changing weather conditions in the coming days, according to a social media statement from the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority.

The storm also caused four fatalities in Quang Ninh province and one in Hai Duong, which is close to Hanoi. State media reported that 41 fishing boats sank or became adrift, with a dozen fishermen missing. Fortunately, search and rescue teams managed to save 27 individuals from the sea.

In response to the storm, nearly 50,000 people have been evacuated from coastal areas. Additional precautionary measures have been implemented, and many residents have been warned against going outdoors. Schools in 12 northern provinces, including Hanoi, are closed as a safety measure.

Areas such as Luc Ngan and Son Dong districts in Bac Giang province, northeast of Hanoi, experienced severe flooding, leaving many regions isolated. In light of continued rain forecasts, authorities have raised concerns regarding potential further flooding and landslides, despite Yagi being downgraded to a tropical depression after making landfall on Saturday. The storm caused extensive damage, including roofs being torn off, trees uprooted, and widespread power outages across northern Vietnam, including in the capital city of Hanoi.

Than Vu, a member of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, remarked to The Washington Post that Yagi stands as one of the most disastrous weather events to impact the country. He pointed out that it is unusual for northern Vietnam to experience a storm of this magnitude, noting, “This is the worst typhoon in probably three decades in Vietnam. For the northern part of Vietnam, we’ve never seen this.”

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring the safety of residents as they navigate through the recovery process.

Source: UPI