Super Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm in Asia this year, made landfall in northern Vietnam after causing damage in China’s Hainan Island and the Philippines. The storm had winds reaching up to 160 kph near its center in Vietnam, down from 234 kph in China. At least four people were reported dead in Vietnam, with dozens more injured or missing at sea. In total, the typhoon has claimed the lives of at least 22 people across the region.
Vietnam’s city of Haiphong suffered significant damage, with wind speeds of up to 90 kph causing power outages, fallen trees, and damaged houses. The storm also caused widespread damage in Hainan, cutting power to over 800,000 homes. Vietnam evacuated over 50,000 people and deployed 450,000 military personnel. In preparation for the storm, airports in northern Vietnam were closed, flights were cancelled, and schools were shuttered in multiple provinces.
Typhoons are growing stronger due to warmer oceans, a trend attributed to climate change. Yagi is the latest in a series of powerful storms to hit East Asia this year, following Typhoon Shanshan in Japan. As the region continues to experience severe weather events, residents and authorities are grappling with the aftermath and the need to adapt to the changing climate.
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