Super Typhoon Yagi Leaves Four Dead in Vietnam
Super Typhoon Yagi, the most devastating storm to hit Asia this year, has claimed the lives of at least four people after making landfall in northern Vietnam. The powerful storm slammed into Hai Phong and Quang Ninh provinces early Saturday, bringing winds up to 203 km/h (126 mph), according to the Indo-Pacific Tropical Cyclone Warning Center.
The fierce winds and flying debris caused widespread damage, toppling buildings, wrecking vehicles, and knocking down trees. Power outages have hit several areas, including the capital city of Hanoi. In Quang Ninh province, state media reported three fatalities, while another death occurred in Hai Duong, near the capital. Over 78 people have sustained injuries across the affected regions.
Additionally, a dozen fishermen remain missing at sea, heightening concerns for their safety. In Hai Phong, metal roofing and large signboards were seen hurtling through the air, according to AFP.
Yagi’s destructive path began on Friday, when it tore through China’s island of Hainan, a popular tourist destination known as “China’s Hawaii.” The storm claimed three lives there and left nearly 100 people injured. Hai Phong, a city of two million in northern Vietnam, bore the brunt of the typhoon, with power cuts affecting critical infrastructure, including factories. Four northern airports suspended operations as a precaution.
Nearly 50,000 residents from coastal areas have been evacuated, and officials have urged people to stay indoors. Schools across 12 northern provinces, including Hanoi, were ordered closed. In the capital, a massive tree toppled overnight, causing significant damage to surrounding areas.
By Saturday evening, Vietnam’s meteorology agency confirmed that the storm was still generating winds of up to 102 km/h (63 mph) as it moved inland, with its eye hovering southwest of Hanoi. The storm is expected to weaken as it pushes toward Laos by Sunday evening. So far, Hai Phong and Quang Ninh have recorded over 20 centimeters of rainfall, flooding streets and homes.
Images from local media show residents in Hanoi taking shelter under bridges, attempting to avoid the torrential downpour. One house in the capital collapsed, though officials noted it had been abandoned as it was undergoing demolition.
Hanoi local Dang Van Phuong told Reuters, “I’ve never experienced a storm this fierce. The wind is so strong, it’s impossible to drive.”
In China, approximately 400,000 people were evacuated from Hainan ahead of Yagi’s arrival, with schools closing, and all transportation services—including flights and ferries—being halted. Over 830,000 households lost power, and the storm devastated valuable crops.
Yagi is the second strongest typhoon of the year, rapidly intensifying after hitting northern Philippines earlier this week. In the Philippines, the storm triggered floods and landslides, killing at least 13 people and forcing thousands to evacuate.
Climate scientists warn that storms like Yagi are becoming more severe due to global warming. Rising ocean temperatures fuel stronger winds, while a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, resulting in heavier rainfall during such storms.
