Emergency workers raced against time to evacuate thousands of residents from severe flooding on Tuesday after Typhoon Yagi ravaged northern Vietnam. The storm left 63 people dead and 40 others missing, plunging several communities into crisis. The most powerful typhoon to strike the region in 30 years, Yagi unleashed devastating winds, torrential rain, and landslides, forcing officials to scramble to rescue survivors and prevent further casualties.
The Ministry of Agriculture reported that about 752 people sustained injuries as the flooding continued to wreak havoc in the north. Yagi made landfall on Saturday with wind speeds exceeding 149 kilometers (92 miles) per hour, downing bridges, tearing roofs off buildings, and damaging factories. The severe weather has left vast areas submerged, with towns like Thai Nguyen and Yen Bai particularly hard-hit. In these regions, one-storey homes were nearly engulfed by rising waters, and desperate residents were stranded on rooftops awaiting rescue.
In Hanoi, communities along the Red River were also inundated, forcing mass evacuations. Phan Thi Tuyet, a 50-year-old resident living near the river, described the devastation, saying she had never seen such high water levels. “I have lost everything, all gone,” she said, reflecting the widespread despair. “I had to come to higher ground to save our lives. We could not bring any of the furniture. Everything is under water now.” The situation remains critical as emergency efforts continue.
