Millions across Southeast Asia are struggling with the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, which has left more than 200 dead and caused widespread devastation. The storm brought torrential rains that have triggered deadly landslides, widespread flooding, and destruction of infrastructure across Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar.
In Vietnam, the hardest-hit country, the death toll has risen to 197, with extensive flooding affecting farmlands, homes, and infrastructure. Over 250,000 hectares of crops and large numbers of livestock have been destroyed, according to the country’s agriculture ministry. In one district near the capital, Hanoi, more than 15,000 people have been affected by flooding, and some areas are still experiencing power cuts.
In northern Thailand, eight deaths have been confirmed, with officials saying one district is suffering its worst floods in 80 years. Landslides in the country have claimed additional lives, with four deaths reported in Chiang Mai province.
The storm has left parts of Vietnam’s mountainous Lao Cai province in ruins. Communication with certain areas was cut off, delaying news of a landslide that killed seven people and left 11 missing. A separate landslide in the province destroyed an entire village, killing at least 34 people, with 46 still unaccounted for.
Meanwhile, the Mekong River Commission has issued a flood warning for Luang Prabang, a UNESCO world heritage site in Laos, as water levels continue to rise.
In Myanmar, flooding is threatening the low-lying capital Naypyidaw and the town of Taungoo. Train services between Yangon and Mandalay have been suspended due to submerged tracks.
Human-made climate change has been linked to the increased intensity and frequency of storms like Typhoon Yagi, with experts warning of more destructive weather patterns in the region.
