BTN News: A bridge collapse in northern Vietnam on Monday has left at least 13 people missing, following days of severe flooding and landslides caused by Typhoon Yagi. As the storm’s heavy rains and violent winds continue to wreak havoc, the nation is grappling with rising death tolls, power outages, and widespread damage to infrastructure. The typhoon, which made landfall on Saturday with intense force, has triggered landslides and river overflows, further complicating rescue efforts and the region’s recovery. Vietnam faces ongoing threats from the storm’s aftermath, with authorities warning that more flooding and landslides could occur.
Bridge Collapse in Phu Tho Province: Dozens Feared Missing
A steel bridge in Phu Tho province collapsed on Monday morning amid heavy rain, sending 10 vehicles, including cars, trucks, and two motorcycles, plunging into the river below. Rescuers pulled three people from the water and rushed them to the hospital, while 13 others remain unaccounted for. Eyewitness Pham Truong Son, 50, described hearing a loud noise while crossing the bridge on his motorcycle before falling into the river. “I felt like I was sinking to the bottom,” Son said, recalling how he clung to a floating banana tree until he was rescued.
Passenger Bus Swept Away in Landslide: Rescuers Blocked by Debris
In a separate incident in Cao Bang province, a passenger bus carrying 20 people was swept into a swollen stream by a landslide on Monday morning. Rescuers have been dispatched to the scene, but roads remain blocked by additional landslides, hampering efforts to reach the accident site. With river levels dangerously high in several northern regions, authorities are urging caution as they brace for further disasters.
Death Toll Rises as Vietnam Struggles with Flooding and Power Outages
Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit Vietnam in decades, made landfall on Saturday as a typhoon with winds of up to 149 kilometers (92 miles) per hour before weakening to a tropical depression on Sunday. The storm has claimed at least 59 lives so far, with nine people killed as it first made landfall and another 50 perishing in subsequent floods and landslides. Among the casualties are six people, including an infant, killed by a landslide in the popular mountainous tourist destination of Sa Pa on Sunday.
Industrial Hubs in Haiphong and Quang Ninh Suffer Extensive Damage
The storm has also caused extensive damage to Vietnam’s industrial sector. In Haiphong province, dozens of businesses remained closed on Monday due to severe damage to their facilities. The storm ripped roofs off factories, flooded industrial complexes, and destroyed finished products and expensive equipment. Many companies, including major exporters and suppliers for Apple, continue to face power outages, with full operations expected to take at least a month to resume. Infrastructure damage is estimated to run into millions of dollars, affecting nearly 100 businesses across Haiphong and Quang Ninh.
Prime Minister Allocates Emergency Funds as Recovery Efforts Continue
On Sunday, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the heavily affected city of Haiphong and approved an emergency relief package worth $4.62 million to aid the recovery efforts. Meanwhile, workers in the capital, Hanoi, and surrounding areas are busy clearing debris, including fallen trees, power lines, and billboards, as heavy rains persist in the northwestern region.
Typhoon Yagi’s Wider Impact: Deaths in the Philippines and China
Before striking Vietnam, Typhoon Yagi claimed at least 20 lives in the Philippines and three more in China. The storm caused significant destruction in China’s Hainan province, where losses totaled $102 million, with 57,000 houses damaged, water and electricity supplies disrupted, and roads blocked by fallen trees. The typhoon made a second landfall on Friday night in Guangdong, a mainland province neighboring Hainan.
Experts Warn of Climate Change Impact on Storm Intensity
Meteorologists are warning that Typhoon Yagi is a sign of more intense storms fueled by climate change. “Storms like Typhoon Yagi are becoming stronger due to warmer ocean waters providing more energy, resulting in higher wind speeds and heavier rainfall,” said Benjamin Horton, director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore. As Vietnam braces for continued heavy rain and the potential for further flooding and landslides, the nation’s recovery is expected to be long and arduous.
Ongoing Recovery Efforts Amid Dangerous Conditions
While authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage across Vietnam, there is growing concern that the toll could rise. In the coming days, efforts will focus on locating the missing, restoring power and communication lines, and preventing further loss of life as the region remains vulnerable to additional natural disasters.
Key Takeaways: Severe Impact Across Multiple Regions
Typhoon Yagi has left a path of destruction across northern Vietnam and beyond, with severe consequences for human life, infrastructure, and economic stability. As rescue teams work tirelessly amid challenging conditions, the nation is preparing for further weather-related threats.
