The aftermath of Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam has left a devastating death toll of 233 people as rescue workers continue to recover bodies from areas affected by landslides and flash floods. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the scene and urged rescue workers to expedite their efforts to find the missing individuals. In Lao Cai province, a flash flood buried the village of Lang Nu in mud and debris, resulting in the recovery of 48 bodies. Many neighborhoods in Hanoi remain submerged, with experts predicting that relief efforts could take days. Efforts are being made by 500 personnel and sniffer dogs to locate the missing individuals, with over 100 still unaccounted for, and more than 800 injuries reported.
The severe damage caused by landslides has hindered rescue efforts, as heavy equipment cannot reach the affected areas. Lang Nu village was one of several locations in Lao Cai with tragic landslides, resulting in the province having the highest number of casualties. In Cao Bang, 21 bodies were recovered four days after a landslide swept away a bus, car, and motorcycles into a flooding stream. Rescue teams are still searching for 10 missing individuals in the region. Despite Yagi weakening after making landfall, the storm has caused continued downpours and high river levels, exacerbating the situation.
The United Nations Children’s Agency, UNICEF, reported that the storm and its aftermath damaged numerous health facilities, schools, and homes, leaving over 3 million people without access to safe drinking water. UNICEF is working with the government and other partners to provide emergency aid to the most affected areas. Amidst the devastation in Vietnam, reports have emerged of six fatalities in northern Thailand due to flooding caused by Storm Yagi. The Bangkok Post has reported landslides in Mae Ai and Mae Fah Luang districts resulting in deaths, injuries, and missing individuals.
Rescuers are working tirelessly to evacuate trapped individuals and guide people across flooded areas in northern Thailand. Overflowing rivers and landslides have caused widespread disruption in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces. In Chiang Mai’s Mae Ai district, six individuals lost their lives due to a landslide triggered by heavy rain, with further casualties reported in Mae Fah Luang district. Local authorities in Chiang Rai continue to warn residents of rising floodwaters and urge them to move their belongings to higher ground. The aftermath of Storm Yagi highlights the impact of extreme weather events on vulnerable communities and underscores the need for proactive measures to address the human-induced climate crisis.
