As of Friday, Vietnam is grappling with the devastating aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, which has resulted in a tragic death toll climbing to 233. Rescue teams continue their relentless efforts, retrieving more bodies from areas ravaged by landslides and flash floods. The disaster has cast a long shadow over the nation, with state media reporting the latest figures.
In Hanoi, floodwaters from the swollen Red River are beginning to recede, offering a glimmer of hope. However, many neighborhoods remain submerged, and experts predict it could still be days before significant relief is seen. Typhoon Yagi, which struck land on Saturday, unleashed a week of torrential rain, causing severe flooding and landslides, particularly in Vietnam's northern mountainous regions.
The situation is dire. As of the latest reports, 103 people are still missing, and over 800 have been injured. In the village of A Lac, just outside Hanoi, Nguyen Thi Loan returned to her home only to find it devastated. The once-familiar surroundings are now under a blanket of floodwater. "The flood has made our lives so difficult," Loan shared. "Our rice crop has been destroyed, and all our appliances—washing machine, TV, fridge—are submerged."
The hardest-hit area has been the province of Lao Cai. A flash flood there obliterated the hamlet of Lang Nu on Tuesday. While eight villagers have been confirmed safe, having managed to escape before the flood, the situation remains grim. So far, 48 individuals from Lang Nu have been found dead, with another 39 still unaccounted for. The road damage has severely hampered rescue operations, leaving crews struggling to access the area.
In response, a team of around 500 personnel, equipped with sniffer dogs, is tirelessly working on the ground. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the disaster zone on Thursday, assuring the public that the search for missing persons would not cease. “Their families are in agony,” Chinh noted, emphasizing the government's commitment to the rescue efforts.
Amidst the wreckage, coffins have been prepared near the disaster site as a somber precaution. Villager Tran Thi Ngan was seen mourning at a makeshift altar for her lost family members, capturing the overwhelming sorrow of the situation. “It's a disaster,” she told VTV news. “That's the fate we have to accept.”
In Cao Bang, another northern province bordering China, the disaster’s toll is also severe. A landslide that struck four days ago sent a bus, a car, and several motorcycles into a swollen river. By Friday, 21 bodies had been recovered, and ten individuals remain missing. The grim reality of these events underscores the intense impact of Typhoon Yagi.
Experts are sounding the alarm about the increasing strength of storms like Yagi, attributing their severity to climate change. Warmer ocean waters act as fuel, intensifying storms with higher winds and more torrential rain. Yagi has proven to be one of the most powerful typhoons to hit Vietnam in decades, with its effects rippling across the region.
Northern Thailand, Laos, and northeastern Myanmar have all felt the typhoon’s wrath. In Thailand, the flooding and landslides have claimed ten lives. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra made a visit to the border town of Mae Sai on Friday to assess the damage. The Thai Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has warned of ongoing flash flood risks, with further rainfall expected to exacerbate conditions in several areas through Wednesday.
International support is pouring into Vietnam, with several countries stepping up to provide aid. Australia has already delivered humanitarian supplies, contributing $2 million in assistance. South Korea has matched this with a $2 million pledge, and the U.S. Embassy has announced a $1 million aid package through USAID.
USAID’s disaster experts are on the ground, closely coordinating with local authorities to address the humanitarian needs. The embassy’s statement highlighted their ongoing efforts: “With more heavy rain forecast in the coming days, USAID’s disaster experts continue to monitor humanitarian needs in close coordination with local emergency authorities and partners on the ground. USAID humanitarian experts are participating in ongoing assessments to ensure U.S. assistance rapidly reaches populations in need.”
The typhoon’s impact extends beyond immediate human suffering. Northern Vietnam’s industrial sector, including Haiphong, has suffered significant damage. This region is home to critical manufacturers such as VinFast, an electric car company, and various Apple parts suppliers. The disruption to factories could have broader implications for international supply chains. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), while 95 percent of businesses in Haiphong were expected to resume operations by September 10, the repair efforts will likely cause a decline in production in the coming weeks and months.
The scale of this disaster is staggering, with the intersection of natural calamity and human resilience coming into sharp focus. As the recovery efforts continue and international aid streams in, Vietnam faces the monumental task of rebuilding and supporting its affected communities.
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