Typhoon Yagi, the strongest storm to hit Asia in 2024, has caused significant devastation across several countries. After making landfall in southern China, it swept through northern Vietnam, leaving behind widespread destruction. The typhoon has resulted in the deaths of dozens of people, with reports ranging from 14 to over 60 casualties, and many more injured across the region.
In Vietnam, Yagi uprooted thousands of trees, swept boats out to sea, and destroyed homes, especially in provinces like Hai Phong and Quang Ninh. Power outages affected millions of residents, and infrastructure such as roads and airports suffered severe damage. Over 5.7 million people experienced power disruptions, although efforts are underway to restore services The Independent and FOX Weather
Typhoon Yagi, the fiercest storm to hit Asia this year, ripped through northern Vietnam, leaving a landscape of devastation in its path. By Monday, the Vietnamese government confirmed 49 lives lost, with 22 others still unaccounted for. Landslides and floods triggered by the storm’s relentless force had swept away homes, roads, and lives.
Asia’s most powerful storm this year, Typhoon Yagi, marched across northern Vietnam, killing dozens and inflicting widespread damage to infrastructure and factories as it churned westward. From Melbourne, Australia, can’t imagine such winds!#supertyphoon #typhoon #yaki #winds pic.twitter.com/gs5OONwP8C
— Ken Howard (@ken_howard1) September 10, 2024
The storm roared ashore on Saturday along Vietnam’s northeastern coast, an area dense with factories and industrial parks. Though Yagi weakened into a tropical depression by Sunday, the threat lingered. Weather officials issued fresh warnings of more floods and landslides, casting a heavy cloud of anxiety over a region still reeling from the initial impact.
Power was knocked out across millions of households and businesses, bringing large swathes of economic activity to a standstill. In Haiphong—a city of two million—factories found themselves in disarray. Metal rooftops were peeled back like paper, equipment exposed to the elements. Workers, many of whom rely on daily wages, rushed to salvage whatever they could. Bruno Jaspaert, head of the DEEP C industrial zones in the area, described the scene as chaotic: “Everyone’s rushing to protect what’s left and keep things from getting soaked,” he said, echoing the struggles of more than 150 companies housed in these industrial parks.
It wasn’t just a few factories taking the hit. LG Electronics, a major player in consumer goods, reported significant damage to its warehouses. Floodwaters seeped in, damaging their stock of refrigerators and washing machines, though, thankfully, no employees were harmed. Hong Sun, president of the South Korean business association in Vietnam, said simply, “There’s a lot of damage out there.” For companies operating near the coast, the storm’s wrath was compounded by widespread power outages.
#TyphoonYagi has ripped through northern #Vietnam, killing at least 60 people and causing a bridge full of vehicles to collapse. It’s the strongest storm to hit the country in decades. pic.twitter.com/BfH7SBJA85
— TaiwanPlus News (@taiwanplusnews) September 10, 2024
Phu Tho province wasn’t spared either. A crucial bridge collapsed on Monday, further disrupting an already battered infrastructure. Authorities reported that eight vehicles were likely on the bridge when it went down. As crews rushed to assess the damage, local officials underscored the importance of the bridge as a key artery for the region.
And yet, the storm wasn’t done. Hanoi, a sprawling city of 8.5 million, braced for impact as meteorologists warned of more heavy rain and strong winds. The capital city, already vulnerable to flooding, found itself once again on edge as residents prepared for another round of chaos.
Northern Vietnam has been experiencing deadly high winds from super typhoon Yagi. The typhoon has caused buildings to break apart, a large boat sinking and landslides.
— Mitsuha (@Mitsuhaa00) September 9, 2024
The power grid, too, took a serious hit. Over the weekend, more than 5.7 million people lost electricity. The state-run EVN worked tirelessly to bring the lights back on, restoring power to 75% of affected customers by Monday. But for those in the hardest-hit areas, the road to recovery seemed distant.
Typhoon Yagi’s impact wasn’t just measured in broken buildings and downed power lines—it’s the uncertainty it left behind, the scramble of lives trying to piece themselves back together while the storm’s shadow still loomed.
Major Points
- Typhoon Yagi, the fiercest storm in Asia this year, has left 49 dead and 22 missing in northern Vietnam, with landslides and floods wreaking havoc.
- The storm hit industrial hubs, damaging factories, including LG Electronics, and disrupting economic activity across cities like Haiphong and Phu Tho province.
- A crucial bridge collapsed in Phu Tho, adding to the region’s infrastructure woes as search crews assess the damage.
- Power outages affected over 5.7 million people, with only 75% of power restored by Monday as recovery efforts continue.
- Hanoi braces for more floods and heavy rain, with the country still in a state of emergency as the storm’s lingering effects unfold.
Charles William III – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News