The death toll from Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit northern Vietnam in three decades, has risen to 197, according to the Vietnamese government. Flash floods and landslides caused by the typhoon have left 128 people missing, with rescue efforts ongoing.
Typhoon Yagi wreaked havoc across the region, destroying over 250,000 hectares of crops, according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s disaster report. Thousands of homes were damaged, and several bridges collapsed, leaving communities in northern Vietnam struggling to recover.
Meteorologists have labeled Yagi the strongest typhoon to impact northern Vietnam in 30 years, bringing wind speeds of up to 149 kilometers per hour (92 miles per hour). The storm caused severe flooding in many areas, submerging entire communities and displacing thousands of residents.
The hardest-hit areas include districts near Hanoi, where more than 15,000 people have been affected. In these areas, many families have been forced to evacuate to temporary shelters, while others remain stranded in their homes without power.
The agricultural sector has also been devastated. Approximately 1.5 million chickens and ducks, along with 2,500 pigs, buffalo, and cows, were lost in the floods. Farmers are facing severe financial losses, as the storm has wiped out vast sections of Vietnam’s livestock and crop industries.
Efforts to restore power and infrastructure are underway, though recovery is expected to be a long and difficult process. Emergency services are working around the clock to assist displaced families and continue rescue operations in affected areas.
Local authorities are focusing on recovery plans, including rebuilding damaged homes, repairing essential infrastructure, and providing financial aid to those affected. The Vietnamese government has also called for international assistance to support the relief efforts.
The destruction caused by Typhoon Yagi has left northern Vietnam grappling with a humanitarian and economic crisis, as the country works to recover from the worst storm to hit the region in decades.
Sekar Rao