Hanoi, Vietnam — Typhoon Yagi has unleashed a wave of devastation across Vietnam, leaving 226 people dead and 104 missing as of Thursday afternoon, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The typhoon’s torrential rains triggered landslides and floods, wreaking havoc particularly in the northern province of Lao Cai. The province has borne the brunt of the disaster, with 98 fatalities and 81 individuals still unaccounted for, the ministry reported.
Rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate the missing and provide aid to affected communities. The scale of the destruction has overwhelmed local resources, prompting calls for national support to assist in relief and recovery efforts.
“We are facing one of the most severe natural disasters in recent years,” a spokesperson from the ministry stated. “Our priority is to find the missing and ensure the safety of those in vulnerable areas.”
Thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed, and vital infrastructure has been severely impacted. Authorities have urged residents in high-risk zones to evacuate to safer locations as further heavy rains are anticipated in the coming days.
International aid organizations and neighboring countries have extended their condolences and offered assistance to Vietnam during this challenging time.
Typhoon Yagi is the latest in a series of powerful storms to hit Southeast Asia, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
