The aftermath of Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam is a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature. The strongest typhoon to hit the Southeast Asian country in decades, Yagi made landfall on Saturday with winds reaching 149 kilometers per hour (92 miles per hour). While it weakened on Sunday, the torrential downpours continued, causing rivers to swell dangerously and leading to widespread flooding and landslides. The devastation has resulted in a tragic death toll of nearly 200 people, with over 125 others still missing.
Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, has been particularly hard hit. The city is experiencing its worst flooding in two decades, with the Red River overflowing its banks and inundating numerous areas. Images from Hanoi show residents wading through knee-deep muddy water, some still wearing helmets after abandoning their vehicles. The scene is a stark reminder of the havoc wreaked by the typhoon.
The death toll has spiked significantly, with a flash flood tragically sweeping away the entire hamlet of Lang Nu in northern Vietnam’s Lao Cai province on Tuesday. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but as of Thursday morning, 53 villagers remain missing, and seven more bodies have been found, bringing the death toll in Lang Nu to 42.
The flooding and landslides have caused widespread devastation, with many of the fatalities occurring in the northwestern Lao Cai province, bordering China. Lao Cai is also home to the popular trekking destination of Sapa. The disaster has also resulted in the collapse of a bridge in Phu Tho province, sending multiple vehicles into the Red River. Additionally, a bus carrying 20 people was swept away by a landslide in mountainous Cao Bang province.
Experts warn that storms like Typhoon Yagi are becoming more intense due to climate change. Warmer ocean waters provide more energy to fuel these storms, leading to higher winds and heavier rainfall, making these events even more destructive and unpredictable. The devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its devastating consequences.
