Super Typhoon Yagi wreaked havoc in Vietnam, causing roofs to be torn off buildings, sinking boats, and triggering landslides, resulting in nine fatalities as of Sunday. This destruction followed the storm's path through southern China and the Philippines.
A family of four perished in a landslide in Hoa Binh province's mountainous region early Sunday morning, as reported by state media. The landslide occurred around midnight, following several hours of heavy rain brought by Yagi, when a hillside collapsed onto a house, according to VNExpress, citing local authorities. The 51-year-old homeowner managed to escape, but his wife, daughter, and two grandchildren were buried, their bodies recovered shortly thereafter.
Yagi, which has severely damaged infrastructure and uprooted trees, made landfall in northern Vietnam on Saturday, with winds exceeding 149 kilometres per hour. Four people were killed on Saturday as roofing materials were hurled through the air, according to disaster management authorities. A man in Hai Duong province died on Friday when a tree was toppled by strong winds.
Several areas of the port city of Hai Phong were submerged under half a metre of floodwaters on Sunday, and electricity was out due to damaged power lines and electric poles, as observed by AFP journalists. At Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site located about 70 kilometres up the coast from the city, fishermen were in shock as they assessed the damage on Sunday morning. At least 23 boats were severely damaged or sunk at the Hai Au boat lock on Tuan Chau island, according to local residents. Rooftops were blown off buildings, and motorbikes were left overturned amidst piles of building rubble and glass, as noted by AFP journalists.
Pham Van Thanh, a 51-year-old crew member of a tourist boat, stated that all the vessel's crew had remained on board since Friday to prevent it from sinking. "The wind was pushing from our back, with so much pressure that no boat could stand," he told AFP. "Then the first one sank. Then one after another." He added, "I have been a sailor for more than 20 years and have never experienced such a strong and violent typhoon."
Prior to reaching Vietnam, Yagi had already caused devastation in southern China and the Philippines, resulting in at least 24 deaths and injuring dozens more. A study published in July indicates that typhoons in the region are now forming closer to the coast, intensifying more rapidly, and staying over land for longer due to climate change.
