By Vietnam is grappling with widespread devastation as flooding and landslides continue in the wake of Typhoon Yagi, with the death toll rising to at least 59. The storm, which made landfall on Saturday before weakening to a tropical depression, has caused significant disruption to businesses and industrial hubs in the country’s north.
On Monday, a passenger bus carrying 20 people was swept into a flooded stream by a landslide in mountainous Cao Bang province. Rescue efforts have been hampered by landslides blocking access routes.
In Phu Tho province, a steel bridge over the swollen Red River collapsed, plunging 10 cars, two trucks, and two motorbikes into the rushing waters. Three people were rescued and hospitalized, while 13 others remain missing. Pham Truong Son, a 50-year-old survivor, recounted his harrowing experience to VNExpress, describing how he clung to a drifting banana tree to stay afloat until rescued.
The industrial sector has been severely impacted, with dozens of businesses in Haiphong province unable to resume operations due to extensive damage. State media Lao Dong newspaper reported that factory roofs were torn apart and floodwaters damaged finished goods and expensive equipment. Power outages continue to affect Haiphong and Quang Ninh provinces, home to major exporters including EV maker VinFast and Apple suppliers Pegatrong and USI.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Haiphong on Sunday, approving a $4.62 million aid package to assist in recovery efforts. Initial estimates suggest nearly 100 enterprises have been damaged, with losses potentially reaching millions of dollars.
Typhoon Yagi, the strongest to hit Vietnam in decades, made landfall Saturday with winds up to 149 kph (92 mph). Although it has weakened, the country’s meteorological agency warns of continuing downpours that could trigger more floods and landslides.
On Sunday, a landslide in Sa Pa town killed six people, including an infant, and injured nine others. The popular trekking destination is known for its terraced rice fields and mountains.
In the capital, Hanoi, workers are clearing uprooted trees, fallen billboards, and toppled electricity poles. Heavy rain continues in northwestern Vietnam, with forecasts predicting up to 40 centimeters (15 inches) in some areas.
The storm has also damaged agricultural land, primarily affecting rice cultivation. Before reaching Vietnam, Yagi caused at least 20 deaths in the Philippines and four in southern China.
Climate experts, including Benjamin Horton, director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore, warn that storms like Typhoon Yagi are intensifying due to climate change, fueled by warmer ocean waters leading to increased wind speeds and heavier rainfall.
As Vietnam struggles to recover from this devastating storm, the incident highlights the increasing vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events and the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and climate resilience measures.
