Super Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm in Asia this year, has wreaked havoc in northern Vietnam after making landfall in the region. The storm brought winds of up to 203 km/h (126 mph) to Hai Phong and Quang Ninh provinces, causing widespread destruction and claiming the life of one man.
In Hai Phong, metal roof sheets and commercial sign boards were seen flying across the city as residents braced themselves against the strong winds. Power outages hit parts of the city, home to multinational factories, while four of the north’s airports suspended operations for much of the day.
Nearly 50,000 people have been evacuated from coastal towns in Vietnam, with authorities issuing a stay indoors warning. Schools have been closed in 12 northern provinces, including the capital Hanoi, as the region prepares for the impact of the powerful storm.
Yagi had previously struck the island of Hainan in China, causing at least three deaths and nearly 100 injuries. The city of Hai Phong, with a population of two million, bore the brunt of the storm in Vietnam.
The super typhoon is equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane and is the second strongest typhoon so far this year. Scientists attribute the increasing strength and frequency of typhoons and hurricanes to climate change, as warmer ocean waters provide more energy for storms to intensify. The aftermath of Yagi serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of extreme weather events in the era of climate change.
