Typhoon Yagi Toll Rises To 197 In Vietnam, Parts Of Hanoi Remain Flooded

Experts say storms like Yagi have intensified due to climate change. Warmer ocean water, as a result of climate change, provides more energy to fuel them, leading to higher winds and heavier rainfall.

The death toll of Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam has risen to 197. The storm, which ripped through northern Vietnam, caused several flash floods and landslides, according to an AFP report. As many as 800 people have been injured. The government estimates that 128 people remain missing. Over 250,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed, disaster officials under the Ministry of Agriculture said in an official report.

Yagi struck with winds of over 149 kmph, making it the most powerful typhoon to hit northern Vietnam in 30 years, and continued to wreak havoc even as it weakened.

According to a Reuters report, different districts in Hanoi remained flooded on Thursday with the weather agency forecasting little change in Red River water levels over the next 24 hours. "High flooding water levels have flooded riverside and low-lying areas, eroded dykes and threatened parts of Hanoi and other northern provinces," the agency said, as quoted by Reuters. 

In the Tay Ho district, residents waded through knee-deep muddy water along the streets, with some wearing helmets and abandoning their bicycles and motorcycles. A few people paddled through the flooded roads in small boats, according to a report by the Associated Press (AP). 

On Wednesday, a flash flood washed away an entire hamlet in northern Vietnam, killing about 30 people. Hundreds of rescue personnel worked tirelessly to search for survivors. But, as of Thursday, 53 villagers remained missing, AP reported.

Yagi, which made landfall on Saturday, downed bridges, destroyed buildings, damaged factories and triggered a widespread power outage affecting thousands of people. Densely populated, northern Vietnam is also a major manufacturing hub. Recovery from the impact of the storm is expected to take several weeks. Reuters noted that the disruptions "could affect global supply chains as Vietnam hosts large operations of multinationals that mostly export their products to the North America, Europe and other markets".

Experts say storms like Yagi have intensified due to the impacts of climate change. Warmer ocean water, as a result of climate change, provides more energy to fuel them, leading to higher winds and heavier rainfall.