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Impact of Typhoon Yagi on Northern Vietnam: A Comprehensive Analysis

GOOVER DAILY REPORT October 5, 2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Summary
  2. Situation and Initial Impact of Typhoon Yagi
  3. Casualties and Human Impact
  4. Impact on Infrastructure and Agriculture
  5. Socioeconomic Consequences
  6. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • The report titled 'Impact of Typhoon Yagi on Northern Vietnam: A Comprehensive Analysis' explores the disastrous effects of Typhoon Yagi, which made its landfall in Vietnam on September 7, 2024, and resulted in substantial human and infrastructural destruction. With winds reaching 149 km/h, northern Vietnam witnessed severe casualties, extensive land and property damage, and significant socio-economic disruptions, positioning Typhoon Yagi as one of the most catastrophic storms in decades. Key findings include a death toll of 291 confirmed dead, 38 missing persons, and more than 1,922 injured. Damage also extended to 235,424 houses, 200,248 hectares of rice, and 50,612 hectares of cash crops, imposing an economic burden of approximately 300 billion dong ($12.1 million). The report underscores the urgent need for effective disaster management and mitigation strategies to handle such natural calamities efficiently in the future.

2. Situation and Initial Impact of Typhoon Yagi

  • 2-1. Introduction to Typhoon Yagi

  • Typhoon Yagi was recognized as the most powerful storm to hit the East Vietnam Sea in the past three decades, making its landfall on Saturday with winds reaching up to 149 km/h. Its impact extended noticeably across northern Vietnam, leading to significant casualties and extensive infrastructural damage.

  • 2-2. Initial landfall and subsequent path

  • The typhoon made landfall on Saturday, September 7, 2024, primarily affecting coastal cities such as Haiphong and Quang Ninh. As it moved inland, Yagi caused massive landslides, catastrophic flooding, and subsequent destruction to roads and homes, complicating rescue operations and leaving many isolated. The aftermath continued to bring heavy rains and dangerously high rivers despite the storm weakening on Sunday.

  • 2-3. Damage assessment in the first few days

  • Initial reports outlined a notable death toll, with 21 confirmed dead and 103 missing across Vietnam, in the wake of Typhoon Yagi. In terms of injuries, more than 800 people were reported wounded. Damage assessments pointed to severe destruction, affecting over 800 houses, nearly 110,000 hectares of rice, and around 18,000 hectares of other crops. Additionally, approximately 550 health facilities and 800 schools were damaged, with more than 100,000 homes rendered unsafe, affecting over 3 million people's access to drinking water. The total economic damage was estimated at around 300 billion dong ($12.1 million), indicating substantial tolls on the affected communities.

3. Casualties and Human Impact

  • 3-1. Death toll and missing persons statistics

  • As of the latest reports, Typhoon Yagi has resulted in a total of 329 fatalities and missing persons across northern Vietnam. Specifically, 291 individuals have been confirmed dead, with 38 still unaccounted for. The province of Lào Cai has been the hardest hit, reporting 124 deaths and 26 missing, including a tragic incident where 81 people were killed in a flash flood that affected a village. Other severely impacted areas include Cao Bằng, with 55 deaths, and Yên Bái, with 53 deaths. Additionally, 103 people remain listed as missing in various regions.

  • 3-2. Injuries and healthcare impact

  • The aftermath of Typhoon Yagi has seen more than 1,922 individuals injured due to the storm and its resulting landslides and floods. The disaster has notably affected healthcare access, with damage reported to approximately 550 health facilities, hindering the ability to provide necessary medical care to the injured and the local population. Moreover, a significant loss of safe drinking water has impacted over 3 million people in the affected areas.

  • 3-3. Rescue operations and challenges faced

  • Rescue operations following Typhoon Yagi have encountered multiple challenges. Damaged infrastructure, particularly roads hindered by landslides, has made it difficult for rescue teams to reach hard-hit areas. More than 4,600 soldiers have been mobilized to assist in evacuations and support for flood victims. However, the ongoing threat of additional floods has complicated these efforts, as heavy equipment cannot be transported to affected sites. Moreover, reports indicate that poorly coordinated responses and natural barriers have resulted in delays in delivering essential aid to the most affected communities.

4. Impact on Infrastructure and Agriculture

  • 4-1. Damage to homes and public buildings

  • The aftermath of Typhoon Yagi has resulted in extensive damage to infrastructure, with a reported total of 235,424 houses impacted across various provinces. The highest numbers of damaged houses were documented in Quảng Ninh, with 102,467 houses affected, and Hải Phòng, with 102,859 houses. Lào Cai Province reported damage to 7,817 houses, while Lạng Sơn, Bắc Ninh, Bắc Giang, and Yên Bái Provinces reported damages to 3,568, 3,472, 3,289, and 2,408 houses, respectively. Furthermore, the storm has severely disrupted access to essential services by damaging around 550 health facilities, 800 schools, and leaving over 3 million people without access to safe drinking water.

  • 4-2. Impact on agriculture including rice and cash crops

  • Typhoon Yagi significantly affected agricultural lands in northern Vietnam, damaging approximately 200,248 hectares of rice and 50,612 hectares of cash crops. Additionally, 61,089 hectares of fruit trees were destroyed due to the severe flooding and landslides caused by the storm. The agricultural sector, which is vital for local economies, faces substantial recovery challenges in the aftermath of the storm.

  • 4-3. Effect on transport and power infrastructure

  • The storm's impact on transport infrastructure has hindered rescue efforts significantly, as landslides have badly damaged roads leading to villages, making it difficult for heavy machinery to reach those in need. Additionally, various power infrastructure facilities sustained damage during the cyclone, leading to widespread power outages and complicating the overall recovery efforts in affected regions.

5. Socioeconomic Consequences

  • 5-1. Economic cost of the damage

  • Typhoon Yagi has caused extensive economic damage in northern Vietnam, with losses estimated at approximately 300 billion dong ($12.1 million) as reported in Bac Giang province. Damage includes significant losses to agriculture, infrastructure, and residential areas, with a total of 235,424 houses damaged across various affected provinces.

  • 5-2. Long-term effects on affected communities

  • The long-term effects of Typhoon Yagi on affected communities are substantial. As of the latest reports, the death toll has reached 329, including 291 confirmed dead and 38 missing. The storm and subsequent flooding have severely impacted the local population, particularly in Lào Cai Province, where the deadliest event occurred, resulting in 81 fatalities in a flash flood. Recovery will take considerable time as communities work to rebuild and heal from the significant loss of life and property.

  • 5-3. Government and international response

  • In response to the disaster, over 4,600 soldiers have been deployed to assist with evacuations and support flood victims in northern Vietnam. The Vietnamese foreign ministry has also engaged with neighboring China to manage water release from upstream dams to prevent further flooding. Although the government has not fully estimated the complete cost of the damage, current efforts include immediate rescue and rehabilitation operations for those affected.

6. Conclusion

  • The comprehensive analysis of the havoc wrought by Typhoon Yagi underscores the pressing vulnerabilities facing disaster preparedness frameworks in Vietnam. The staggering loss of 329 lives, coupled with significant damage to infrastructure and agriculture, demonstrates the typhoon's severe impact on both the human and economic landscapes of the north of Vietnam. Such losses, while starkly highlighting the need for robust infrastructure and coordinated rescue operations by entities like the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority, also emphasize the importance of international aid and cooperation, particularly in managing upstream water release with China to minimize future flooding threats. However, the limitations in emergency response coordination and infrastructural resilience point to critical areas needing improvement. Looking ahead, the prospects for the region involve not only rebuilding but also strengthening disaster response capabilities to mitigate the impacts of future typhoons. The practical applicability of this report's findings can drive policy reforms and resource allocation to enhance Vietnam's disaster management systems, ensuring quicker and more efficient responses to such natural disasters.

7. Glossary

  • 7-1. Typhoon Yagi [Event]

  • Typhoon Yagi was one of the most destructive typhoons to impact Vietnam in recent decades. It resulted in severe human casualties and widespread destruction across several provinces, significantly impacting infrastructure and agriculture. Its direct effect underscores the need for improved disaster management systems.

  • 7-2. Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority [Organization]

  • This authority is part of Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, responsible for managing and mitigating disasters such as typhoons and floods in Vietnam. It played a key role in assessing the impact and organizing rescue operations during Typhoon Yagi.

8. Source Documents