Typhoon Yagi leaves trail of destruction across South-East Asia

Millions of people in South-East Asia are struggling to cope with the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, which has left a trail of destruction and claimed over 200 lives.

The storm brought widespread flooding, power cuts, and infrastructure damage to Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar.

In Vietnam, the hardest-hit country, the death toll has risen to 197, with many more reported missing. The northern region of the country has been particularly affected, with entire communities submerged underwater.

“It will be so hard for me to recover from this loss,” said Tu, a farmer who lost his entire peach blossom plantation. “I think I will lose up to $40,000 this season.”

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The United Nations Children’s Agency (UNICEF) has reported that over 140,000 homes have been damaged across 26 provinces in Vietnam, leaving thousands without shelter. The agency has provided emergency aid, including water and medical supplies, to the worst-affected areas.

The Vietnamese agriculture ministry has estimated that over 250,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed, with farmland around Hanoi hit particularly hard. Commuters in the capital city have been forced to wade through shin-deep floodwaters, while thousands have been evacuated from their homes.

In northern Thailand, nine people have been confirmed dead, with one district experiencing its worst floods in 80 years. The full extent of the damage is still unknown, with many areas remaining inaccessible due to the high waters.

As the region begins to assess the full extent of the damage, concerns are growing about the long-term impact of the typhoon. “We’re facing a major crisis,” said a Vietnamese official. “We need to act quickly to provide aid and support to those affected.”

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