Typhoon Yagi: Bridge collapse and flooding in Vietnam raise death toll to at least 65

Bus swept away

On Monday morning, a bus carrying 20 people was engulfed by a flooded stream triggered by a landslide in Cao Bang province. Rescue operations recovered four bodies from the bus and managed to rescue one person alive. However, the search continues for the remaining passengers who are still missing.

Bridge collapse in Phu Tho

In Phu Tho province, a steel bridge over the swollen Red River collapsed early Monday. Reports indicate that ten cars and trucks, along with two motorbikes, fell into the river. Several individuals were rescued and taken to the hospital, but at least ten people remain unaccounted for. Nguyen Minh Hai, who fell into the river, recounted his fear to news agency AP and near-death experience, while Pham Truong Son described how he clung to a drifting banana tree to survive after falling from his motorcycle.

Damage to industrial hubs

The typhoon also caused significant damage to industrial areas. In Haiphong province, extensive damage to factories has halted production. State newspaper Lao Dong reported that roofs were torn off factories and water damage affected both finished goods and expensive equipment. Some businesses are still without power, and restoration could take up to a month. Haiphong and neighboring Quang Ninh provinces, both crucial to Vietnam’s export economy, are still grappling with power outages. Early estimates indicate that nearly 100 enterprises have been damaged, resulting in millions of dollars in losses.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Haiphong on Sunday and approved a $4.62 million aid package to support recovery efforts in the port city.

Widespread impact

Typhoon Yagi’s impact was felt across the region. Before hitting Vietnam, the typhoon caused at least 20 deaths in the Philippines and four in southern China. In China, infrastructure losses in Hainan province amounted to $102 million, with 57,000 houses damaged or destroyed, and extensive disruptions to power, water, and roads. The storm also made a second landfall in Guangdong, a province adjacent to Hainan.

In Vietnam, the ongoing heavy rains have continued to pose risks, with forecasts predicting rainfall could exceed 40 centimeters (15 inches) in some areas. The capital, Hanoi, is experiencing overcast skies and occasional rain, as cleanup operations begin with workers clearing uprooted trees and fallen billboards.

Climate change and future storms

Experts warn that storms like Typhoon Yagi are becoming increasingly intense due to climate change. Benjamin Horton, director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore, told news agency AP, that warmer ocean waters provide more energy for storms, leading to stronger winds and heavier rainfall.