Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to strike Asia this year, has left a trail of destruction in northern Vietnam, claiming the lives of dozens and causing widespread damage. Preliminary government estimates released on Monday revealed the devastating impact of the storm, which churned westward after making landfall on Saturday.
The Vietnam disaster management agency reported 35 fatalities and 24 missing individuals, primarily due to landslides and floods triggered by the typhoon. The storm made landfall on Vietnam’s northeastern coast, a region home to numerous manufacturing operations of both domestic and foreign companies. It was downgraded to a tropical depression on Sunday by the meteorological agency.
The typhoon’s wrath was felt across the region, disrupting essential services and crippling economic activity. Millions of households and companies were plunged into darkness as power lines were downed. Highways were flooded, telecommunications networks were disrupted, and a medium-sized bridge collapsed. Thousands of trees were uprooted, adding to the widespread damage.
Industrial hubs in the affected areas faced significant challenges as the storm wreaked havoc. In Haiphong, a coastal city with a population of two million, managers and workers at industrial parks and factories found themselves without electricity and struggling to salvage equipment from the relentless rain. Metal sheet roofing was blown away from plants, exposing machinery and materials to the elements.
“Everyone is scrambling to make sites safe and stocks dry,” remarked Bruno Jaspaert, head of DEEP C industrial zones, which host factories from over 150 investors in Haiphong and the neighboring province of Quang Ninh.
The storm’s impact extended to major multinational companies. Pictures and eyewitness accounts revealed the collapse of a factory wall in Haiphong, belonging to South Korea’s LG Electronics. While LG Electronics confirmed there were no casualties among its employees, it acknowledged significant damages to its production site, including a flooded warehouse containing refrigerators and washing machines.
Hong Sun, the chairman of the South Korean business association in Vietnam, described the situation as “Lots of damages” when questioned about the typhoon’s impact on Korean factories in coastal areas. A manager of leased factories confirmed widespread damage to roofs and extended power outages in northern provinces.
The storm’s relentless force continued to pose threats even after its initial impact. A bridge in the province of Phu Tho collapsed on Monday, raising concerns about further casualties. A senior official from the province’s transport department described the bridge as “normally a busy bridge, a key bridge in the province,” emphasizing its importance to the region.
The weather agency issued warnings of ongoing flood and landslide risks, highlighting the continued threat posed by the typhoon’s aftermath. Rainfall levels in several parts of the northern region over the past 24 hours were recorded between 208 millimeters and 433 millimeters (8.2 inches to 17.1 inches), indicating the severity of the downpour.
State-run power provider EVN reported that over 5.7 million customers lost power during the weekend due to the storm’s damage to power lines. However, electricity was restored on Monday to nearly 75% of those affected, bringing a glimmer of hope amidst the widespread devastation.
The typhoon’s impact on northern Vietnam serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of the region to natural disasters and highlights the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of such events. The storm’s aftermath will require significant resources and efforts to restore infrastructure, rebuild damaged businesses, and support those affected by the tragedy.
