Typhoon Yagi Weakens After Devastating Impact in Vietnam, China, and the Philippines
Typhoon Yagi has weakened after leaving a trail of destruction across Southeast Asia, with Vietnam, China, and the Philippines being the hardest hit. The powerful storm claimed dozens of lives, leaving widespread damage in its wake and displacing thousands of residents from their homes.
Yagi, which formed in the Pacific Ocean, made landfall in the Philippines first, where torrential rains and landslides caused at least 15 fatalities. The country’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that many communities were left flooded, with significant damage to homes and infrastructure. Rescue operations are ongoing, but the destruction has left many rural areas isolated, complicating relief efforts.
As Yagi moved northwest, it unleashed its fury on Vietnam, where nearly 30 people were reported dead. The country’s central region bore the brunt of the typhoon, with rivers overflowing and landslides cutting off entire towns. The government is mobilizing military forces to assist in relief operations, but the damage to roads and bridges has hampered access to the worst-affected regions. Agricultural losses, including rice fields destroyed by floodwaters, add further economic strain to the region.
In China, Yagi struck the southern coast, leading to the evacuation of over 200,000 people. Though the storm weakened as it made landfall, it still caused significant flooding, leaving at least 10 dead. Chinese authorities have been quick to respond, setting up shelters and initiating cleanup efforts. However, the economic toll from the damage is expected to be considerable, particularly in agricultural sectors.
Typhoon Yagi’s weakening comes as a relief to the region, but the devastation left behind will require weeks, if not months, of recovery efforts. Countries across Southeast Asia, already vulnerable to extreme weather, continue to grapple with the growing intensity of typhoons, with climate change exacerbating the frequency and severity of storms like Yagi.
