Vietnam Reels from Typhoon Yagi’s Aftermath: Death Toll Rises to 197, Over 125 Missing

The devastating aftermath of Typhoon Yagi continues to unfold in Vietnam, with the death toll rising to 197 and over 125 people still missing, The Associated Press reports.

The storm, which made landfall on Saturday with winds reaching 92 mph, has unleashed widespread flooding and landslides, causing widespread destruction across the country.

The capital city of Hanoi has experienced its worst flooding in two decades, leading to mass evacuations and leaving many areas inundated. Images of people wading through knee-deep muddy water, some even resorting to small boats to navigate the flooded streets, paint a stark picture of the situation.

The death toll spiked earlier this week after a flash flood swept away the entire hamlet of Lang Nu in the northern Lao Cai province. Despite extensive rescue efforts, 53 villagers remain missing, while the death toll in the village has climbed to 42.

Flooding and landslides have been responsible for most of the deaths, particularly in the northwestern Lao Cai province, a popular trekking destination. The province shares a border with China and has experienced some of the most severe impacts of the storm.

The catastrophic flooding has also caused infrastructure damage, including the collapse of a steel bridge in Phu Tho province over the swollen Red River. The collapse sent 10 vehicles, including cars, trucks, and motorbikes, into the river. In the mountainous Cao Bang province, a bus carrying 20 people was swept away by a landslide, adding to the growing casualty count.

Experts attribute the increasing intensity of storms like Typhoon Yagi to climate change, which is causing warmer ocean waters and providing more energy for storms, leading to stronger winds and heavier rainfall.