Topan Yagi Victims In Vietnam Become 233 People, Rescue Efforts Continue To Be Carried Out

The Impact Of Typhoon Yagi In Vietnam/Defense UNICEF/Pham Ha Duy Linh

JAKARTA - The death toll from Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam increased to 233 people, according to a report last Friday. Rescue workers found more bodies in areas affected by landslides and flash floods.

Quoted from ANTARA, Sunday, September 15, floods from the overflowing Red River in the Hanoi capital began to recede, although many areas were still submerged. In the northern part, experts estimate that assistance will still be difficult to reach over the next few days.

Typhoon Yagi hit the mainland on Saturday (7/10/2024), causing heavy rains that triggered flash floods and landslides. A total of 103 people are still missing, and more than 800 others are injured.

Most of the fatalities came from Lao Cai Province. Eight residents of the Lang Nu settlement who survived were found on Friday (13/9/2024) morning. A total of 48 other people from Lang Nu were found dead, and 39 people are still missing.

The road to Lang Nu was badly damaged, making it difficult for heavy equipment to enter to assist rescue efforts. About 500 rescue personnel along with sniffer dogs were deployed.

In the province of Cao Bang, the northern region bordering China, 21 bodies were found on Friday (13/9/2024). Experts say Topan Yagi's strength is getting stronger due to climate change, as warmer seawater gives it more energy to trigger storms.

The impact of this typhoon was also felt in other Southeast Asia regions, including northern Thailand, Laos, and northeastern Myanmar, which experienced floods and landslides.

In Thailand, 10 people were reported killed in floods or landslides. In Myanmar, soldiers reported at least 33 people were killed. A total of 187 aid camps have been established for nearly 240,000 flood victims from 34 cities.

International aid began to flow to Vietnam, with Australia delivering humanitarian supplies as part of the US$2 million aid. South Korea also plans to provide assistance of US$2 million. The United States on Friday (13/9/2024) said it would provide US$1 million through the US International Development Agency (USAID).

With heavy rains forecasting in the next few days, USAID disaster experts continue to monitor humanitarian needs in close coordination with local emergency authorities and partners in the field, the US embassy said in its official statement.

USAID humanitarian experts in the field are participating in an ongoing assessment to ensure US assistance quickly reaches the population in need, he added.