Vietnam has been struck by Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit the country in decades. The typhoon, which made landfall on September 7, 2024, has resulted in at least 233 fatalities, hundreds of injuries, and the displacement of 130,000 individuals.
The northern mountainous regions of Vietnam have borne the brunt of the typhoon's impact. Lao Cai province, situated approximately 260 kilometers northwest of Hanoi near the Chinese border, has been particularly affected. A devastating landslide buried an entire village in Lang Nu, with 48 bodies recovered and 39 people still unaccounted for.
Pham Minh Chinh, Vietnam's Prime Minister, visited the disaster site on September 12, 2024, expressing deep concern for the affected families. Rescue operations have been hindered by extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads.
The capital city, Hanoi, has also experienced severe flooding, with the Red River reaching its highest level in two decades. This 1,149-kilometer-long river, a vital economic artery for Vietnam, has overflowed its banks, submerging large parts of the city.
The agricultural sector, which contributes approximately 14% to Vietnam's GDP, has suffered significant losses. Over 250,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed, potentially impacting the country's food security and economic growth. Additionally, industrial areas such as Haiphong, Vietnam's third-largest city and a major manufacturing hub, have reported damage to factories supplying global tech giants.
Climate scientists have linked the increasing intensity of typhoons to global warming. A study published in July 2024 suggests that climate change is causing these weather phenomena to form closer to coastlines and persist longer over land, exacerbating their destructive potential.
The impact of Typhoon Yagi has extended beyond Vietnam's borders. In Myanmar, at least 36 fatalities have been reported, with 50,000 people forced to evacuate their homes. The country, already grappling with political unrest since 2021, has seen villagers near the capital Naypyidaw wading through chin-high waters to escape floods.
In Thailand, the coach of the Wild Boars football team, Ekkapol Chantawong, who gained international recognition during the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue, found himself and his family seeking refuge on their roof due to flash floods on September 10, 2024.
"It's a disaster. That's the fate we have to accept."
As Vietnam grapples with the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, the country's resilience and disaster management capabilities are being put to the test. With an average of 4-6 storms hitting Vietnam annually and a 3,444-kilometer coastline, the nation has been implementing various disaster risk reduction strategies in recent years. However, the unprecedented strength of Typhoon Yagi underscores the urgent need for enhanced climate adaptation measures across Southeast Asia.