Vietnam: Typhoon Yagi aftermath brings flash floods, landslides; 199 dead
Nearly 200 people have died in Vietnam and 128 are missing days after Typhoon Yagi battered the country's north. The VNExpress newspaper confirmed that over 800 individuals have also been injured as a result of the storm. Yagi, Asia's most powerful typhoon this year, brought gales and torrential rain as it traveled westward after making landfall on Saturday.
Floods, landslides caused most of the deaths
The majority of deaths have been caused by floods and landslides, particularly in the northwestern Lao Cai province bordering China, where Lang Nu is located, AP reported. In Phu Tho province, a steel bridge across the engorged Red River fell, resulting in the loss of 10 cars, trucks, and two motorcycles. A landslide in the mountainous Cao Bang province also washed a bus carrying 20 people into a flooded stream.
Hanoi experiences worst flooding in 2 decades
In Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, floodwaters from the Red River have receded slightly but many areas remain submerged. Mai Van Khiem, head of the national meteorology agency, told state media that the water level in Hanoi's Red River reached its highest level since 2004. Residents began evacuating on Tuesday as floodwaters rose and power and drinking water supplies were cut off since Wednesday.
Australia pledges aid, death toll rises in Lang Nu
Australia's Foreign Ministry has pledged $2 million in humanitarian relief, emergency supplies and other essential services to Vietnam. A Royal Australian Air Force transport aircraft has already delivered essential provisions such as shelters and hygiene kits. The death toll spiked earlier this week when a flash flood swept away the entire hamlet of Lang Nu in northern Vietnam's Lao Cai province on Tuesday.
