Thousands evacuated in Vietnam as Typhoon Yagi causes flooding; over 170 dead – Times of India
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Authorities in Hanoi have evacuated thousands of residents from areas near the Red River due to severe flooding caused by Typhoon Yagi, reported Reuters. The typhoon, Asia’s most powerful this year, hit the northern parts of Vietnam last Saturday.
According to government estimates, subsequent landslides and floods along with the typhoon have killed 179 people across the country, while 145 are reported missing.
The government has advised several schools in Hanoi to remain closed for the week, and many residents in low-lying areas have been moved to safer locations. Nguyen Van Hung, a 56-year-old living near the river, stated, “My home is now part of the river.”
The Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, a charity near the city centre, evacuated its office on Tuesday following flood warnings. Spokesperson Carlota Torres Lliro reported that people were moving their belongings and vehicles quickly, expressing concern for those in slum areas.
Vietnam’s state-run power utility EVN had cut off power from some flooded parts of the capital due to safety concerns, it informed on Wednesday.
Adding further, EVN stated that it had stopped discharging water from the Hoa Binh hydropower dam, the second largest in northern Vietnam, into the Red River tributary, the Da River, to reduce the water flows.
Hanoi resident Tran Le Quyen, 42, shared her experience, saying, “This is the worst flood I have seen in 30 years.” She noted that her home, dry a day earlier, was now surrounded by water.
Typhoon Yagi has also impacted industrial hubs east of Hanoi, causing many factories and warehouses to shut down temporarily. This disruption could affect global supply chains, as many multinational companies operate from Vietnam. Samsung Electronics operates a major facility in the region, crucial for its global smartphone shipments.
In the northern provinces, heavy floods and resultant landslides have caused numerous deaths. Nguyen Duc Tam from Thai Nguyen, 60 km from Hanoi, reported, “My house’s first floor is completely under the water,” and noted the lack of fresh water and electricity.
Hoang Hai Luan, a long-term resident, remarked, “For more than 20 years that I’ve lived here, I’ve never seen such historic flooding.” The damage has been extensive, affecting properties and possibly livelihoods.
Mai Van Khiem, who is the director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, stated that the Red River had reached its highest level in twenty years and that there was expected to be additional rain over the next 48 hours.
Vietnamese officials also expressed concerns regarding the release of water by Chinese hydropower plants into the Lo River, a Red River tributary. In China, the Lo River is known as the Panlongjiang. Beijing stated that both countries were collaborating on flood prevention.
The situation remains dire as recovery and relief efforts are ongoing in the affected regions.
According to government estimates, subsequent landslides and floods along with the typhoon have killed 179 people across the country, while 145 are reported missing.
The government has advised several schools in Hanoi to remain closed for the week, and many residents in low-lying areas have been moved to safer locations. Nguyen Van Hung, a 56-year-old living near the river, stated, “My home is now part of the river.”
The Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, a charity near the city centre, evacuated its office on Tuesday following flood warnings. Spokesperson Carlota Torres Lliro reported that people were moving their belongings and vehicles quickly, expressing concern for those in slum areas.
Vietnam’s state-run power utility EVN had cut off power from some flooded parts of the capital due to safety concerns, it informed on Wednesday.
Adding further, EVN stated that it had stopped discharging water from the Hoa Binh hydropower dam, the second largest in northern Vietnam, into the Red River tributary, the Da River, to reduce the water flows.
Hanoi resident Tran Le Quyen, 42, shared her experience, saying, “This is the worst flood I have seen in 30 years.” She noted that her home, dry a day earlier, was now surrounded by water.
Typhoon Yagi has also impacted industrial hubs east of Hanoi, causing many factories and warehouses to shut down temporarily. This disruption could affect global supply chains, as many multinational companies operate from Vietnam. Samsung Electronics operates a major facility in the region, crucial for its global smartphone shipments.
In the northern provinces, heavy floods and resultant landslides have caused numerous deaths. Nguyen Duc Tam from Thai Nguyen, 60 km from Hanoi, reported, “My house’s first floor is completely under the water,” and noted the lack of fresh water and electricity.
Hoang Hai Luan, a long-term resident, remarked, “For more than 20 years that I’ve lived here, I’ve never seen such historic flooding.” The damage has been extensive, affecting properties and possibly livelihoods.
Mai Van Khiem, who is the director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, stated that the Red River had reached its highest level in twenty years and that there was expected to be additional rain over the next 48 hours.
Vietnamese officials also expressed concerns regarding the release of water by Chinese hydropower plants into the Lo River, a Red River tributary. In China, the Lo River is known as the Panlongjiang. Beijing stated that both countries were collaborating on flood prevention.
The situation remains dire as recovery and relief efforts are ongoing in the affected regions.
