Family killed in landslide as Yagi hits Vietnam

A devastating event has unfolded in Vietnam as super typhoon Yagi has wreaked havoc across the region. Tragically, four members of a single family lost their lives due to a landslide that occurred as a result of this powerful storm. The incident took place in the mountainous area of Hoa Binh province in northern Vietnam around midnight local time. Fortunately, a 51-year-old man managed to escape the disaster, but his wife, daughter, and two grandchildren were not as lucky, as they were buried when the hillside collapsed onto their home. Reports from the AFP news agency confirmed that their bodies were later recovered. Yagi has been recognized as the most powerful typhoon in Asia this year, leading to at least 14 fatalities and injuring 176 others, according to Vietnamese state media. Although the storm has since been downgraded to a tropical depression, authorities are still cautioning residents about the ongoing risks of flooding and landslides as the storm continues its westward path. After making landfall in northern Vietnam, Yagi struck provinces such as Hai Phong and Quang Ninh with winds reaching speeds of up to 203 kilometers per hour, equivalent to 126 miles per hour. The intense winds caused significant damage, including roofs being torn off buildings and trees being uprooted, resulting in widespread power outages in the capital city of Hanoi. State media reported that three individuals lost their lives in Quang Ninh province, while another was killed in Hai Duong, which is near Hanoi. Additionally, several fishermen are currently missing at sea. In Hai Phong, a port city, many areas were submerged under half a meter of floodwaters, and power lines and electric poles suffered extensive damage. Eyewitnesses described scenes of metal roof sheets and commercial signboards being blown through the air in the city, which is home to around two million residents and has been severely impacted by the storm. Power outages were reported in various parts of Hai Phong, which is known for its multinational factories, and four airports in northern Vietnam had to suspend operations for most of the day. A sailor named Pham Van Thanh shared his harrowing experience during the storm, stating that he had never encountered such a powerful and violent typhoon before. He and his crew remained on board their tourist boat since Friday to prevent it from sinking. He recounted, 'The wind was pushing from our back, with so much pressure that no boat could stand. ' He watched in horror as one boat after another sank due to the relentless force of the storm. In Hanoi, the aftermath of the storm was evident, with metal roofs littering the streets and fallen trees obstructing roads. Many residents sought refuge under bridges to escape the heavy rain. Authorities reported that nearly 50,000 people had to evacuate from coastal towns, and schools were closed in 12 northern provinces, including Hanoi. Duong The Hung, a restaurant owner in Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, expressed the extent of the damage to his business, stating, 'The ceiling has collapsed. The metal roof needs repairs. The damage is severe. ' The storm is expected to move into northern Laos by Sunday evening. Before making landfall in Vietnam, Yagi had already caused significant destruction on Hainan Island in China, a popular tourist destination, and in the Philippines, where it resulted in at least 24 deaths and numerous injuries. On Friday, China evacuated approximately 400,000 people from Hainan Island, suspending trains, boats, and flights, while schools were closed. Local media reported widespread power outages affecting around 830,000 households, and valuable crops were also destroyed. A super typhoon is classified as equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane. Scientists have noted that typhoons and hurricanes are becoming increasingly powerful, more frequent, and lingering over land for extended periods due to climate change. Warmer ocean waters provide storms with additional energy, leading to higher wind speeds, while a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, resulting in more intense rainfall. This situation highlights the urgent need to address climate change and its impact on natural disasters.