Typhoon Yagi, the most formidable storm to hit Asia this year, has unleashed a devastating trail of destruction across southern China and Southeast Asia.
The storm has claimed numerous lives and caused extensive damage due to its intense rainfall and powerful winds.
Initially, Yagi struck the Philippines, claiming over a dozen lives. The storm then moved westward, impacting southern China and subsequently making its way through Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos.
Even a week after Yagi’s landfall, the situation remains dire. Many farms and villages in northern Vietnam and neighboring Thailand are still submerged. Communities there face severe flooding and the growing threat of landslides.
In Vietnam, the death toll has climbed to at least 226. The government’s disaster agency confirmed this figure on Thursday, noting the extensive damage caused by landslides and flash floods triggered by the storm.
Infrastructure and factories have suffered significant destruction.
Dashcam footage captured earlier this week shows a steel bridge collapsing over the swollen Red River in Vietnam’s Phu Tho province. The collapse sent drivers plunging into the raging waters below.
Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Rai has also been severely affected.
The relentless downpours have submerged homes and riverside villages, complicating rescue operations. Since mid-August, at least 33 people in Thailand have died due to rain-related incidents. Of these, nine fatalities occurred this week alone, following Typhoon Yagi’s impact.
Scientists have long warned that warming oceans are intensifying storms, making them more deadly.
Although developed nations have historically contributed more to the climate crisis, it is the developing countries and small-island states that are bearing the brunt of these severe weather events.
As the world continues to grapple with the effects of climate change, the tragic consequences of Typhoon Yagi highlight the urgent need for global action to address and mitigate these extreme weather phenomena.