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Super Typhoon Yagi has wreaked havoc across northern Vietnam, leaving a trail of destruction that has claimed the lives of at least 127 people, with 54 others still missing, officials reported. The storm, which hit on Saturday, brought with it heavy rainfall, landslides, and flooding, affecting millions and plunging large parts of the region into chaos.
Thousands of people in northern provinces have been stranded on rooftops, waiting for rescue as floodwaters submerged homes and entire communities. In Phu Tho province, dashcam footage captured the dramatic moment when the Phong Chau bridge collapsed, sending vehicles into the river below. The typhoon, Vietnam's most powerful in 30 years, knocked out power to 1.5 million people and damaged critical infrastructure, including bridges, factories, and homes.
Despite weakening into a tropical depression, authorities warn that Yagi will continue to pose a significant threat as it moves westward. With 64 people still missing and over 750 injured, rescue efforts are ongoing. Flood and landslide warnings have been issued for 401 communes across 18 northern provinces.
Local residents, like Phan Thi Tuyet, 50, are facing devastating losses. "I have lost everything, all gone," Tuyet told the AFP news agency, describing how she had to flee to higher ground with her dogs, leaving all her possessions behind. "Everything is under water now," she added.
As Vietnam grapples with the aftermath, the storm's impact has raised questions about the growing intensity of typhoons in the region, which meteorologists link to global warming. Yagi had already left destruction in its wake across southern China and the Philippines before reaching Vietnam, with experts warning of the potential for even more severe storms in the future.
