Typhoon Yagi, which stands as Asia's most formidable storm of the year, struck Vietnam's northeastern coast with unprecedented ferocity on Saturday, wreaking havoc across the region. The latest estimates indicate that the typhoon has claimed 35 lives, left 24 individuals missing, and resulted in injuries to 299 people. These casualties primarily stem from landslides and severe flooding triggered by the storm, according to Vietnam's disaster management agency.
The typhoon made landfall on Vietnam's northeastern coast, an area crucial for both domestic and international manufacturing operations. After its landfall, Yagi was downgraded to a tropical depression by Sunday. The storm's impact has been profound, causing widespread power outages, flooding key highways, and disrupting telecommunications networks.Â
In Haiphong, a significant coastal city with a population of approximately two million, the storm's effects have been devastating. The region's industrial parks and factories, including those in the DEEP C industrial zones, have faced substantial damage. Many factories are grappling with the aftermath, as roofs have been blown off and equipment has been exposed to rain. Reports indicate that LG Electronics' facility in Haiphong suffered significant damage, with a factory wall collapsing and a warehouse filled with appliances being inundated. Fortunately, there have been no reported casualties among LG's staff.
The typhoon has also caused critical infrastructural damage. A key bridge in Phu Tho province, a vital transport link, has collapsed, though details on potential casualties are still pending. The collapse of this bridge further complicates the relief and recovery efforts in the region.
The weather agency has issued urgent warnings for additional floods and landslides. Rainfall in several northern provinces, including Lang Son, Cao Bang, Yen Bai, and Thai Nguyen, has reached between 208 millimeters and 433 millimeters (8.2 inches to 17.1 inches) in just the past 24 hours, exacerbating the situation.
State-run power provider EVN reported that more than 5.7 million customers experienced power outages during the weekend as the storm disrupted dozens of power lines. Despite significant efforts to restore services, approximately 75% of those affected had their electricity reconnected by Monday. The power restoration efforts are ongoing, but the situation remains challenging as the region continues to deal with the extensive impact of Typhoon Yagi.
Recovery and rebuilding efforts are underway, but the scale of the damage and the ongoing weather threats pose significant challenges. The affected communities are bracing for further complications as they work to assess and address the full extent of the typhoon's destruction.
Â
