After the last major typhoon, a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon named typhoon Maria witnessed in eastern China, Taiwan and Japan, another typhoon has just occurred.
On September 7, 2024, Typhoon Yagi made landfall in northern Vietnam, bringing with it destruction, power outages similar to Southern Australia’s, and a death toll that has left the region in shock.
Backstory of Typhoon Yagi
In late August 2024, Typhoon Yagi started as a low-pressure system that culminated in a storm that, as at Tuesday 10th of September, left 127 people dead, and 64 others missing.
When it began, Typhoon Yagi churned across the South China Sea, gained force and climbed to be recognised as Category 2 typhoon, with wind speeds reaching up to 92 miles per hour, but this wasn't enough for Yagi.
Prior to hitting Vietnam, Yagi swept through the Philippines with torrential rains and strong winds that caused flash floods and landslides.
As Yagi continued its trajectory, it also hit parts of southern China, where preparations included shutting down schools, suspending transport services, and evacuating vulnerable areas.
By the time the typhoon reached Vietnam, it had become the most powerful storm the Asian country had seen in three decades (30 years).
Typhoon Yagi’s Devastation in Vietnam
Yagi originated from a low-pressure area that formed on August 30, approximately 540 km (330 mi) northwest of Palau. On September 1, the system was classified as a tropical storm and named Yagi by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
Although it has now weakened into a tropical depression, authorities have warned Yagi will create more disruption as it moves westwards.
Phan Thi Tuyet, 50, who lives close to the river, told news agencies that she had never experienced such high water.
"I have lost everything, all gone," she said, clutching her two dogs.
"I had to come to higher ground to save our lives. We could not bring any of the furniture with us. Everything is under water now."
Authorities have now issued flood and landslide warnings for 401 communes across 18 northern provinces.
One-storey homes in parts of Thai Nguyen and Yen Bai provinces were almost completely submerged in the early hours of Tuesday, with residents waiting on the roofs for help.
As well as the dead and missing, flooding and landslides have also injured at least 752 people, officials at the ministry of agriculture said on Tuesday, 10 September, 2024.
Before hitting Vietnam, Yagi left 24 people dead across southern China and the Philippines.
Thousands of people were seen stranded on rooftops in some northern provinces such as Thai Nguyen, Yen Bai, and Lang Son, while others posted desperate pleas for help on social media on Tuesday.
While Rescue operations have begun, heavy flooding and landslides have made access difficult for emergency teams.
Closing Remark
Typhoon Yagi’s impact on Vietnam explains the disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions. As extreme weather events increase in frequency and severity, proactive measures are essential to mitigate future losses and protect communities.