A busy bridge in northern Vietnam collapsed following the impact of Super Typhoon Yagi, sending 10 cars and two scooters into the Red River, according to Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc on Monday. The exact number of casualties from the collapse of Phong Chau Bridge in Phu Tho province is not yet known. So far, three people have been rescued, while 13 remain missing, Mr. Ho stated.
Although part of the 375-meter (1,230-foot) bridge is still intact, Mr. Ho has ordered the military to construct a pontoon bridge as soon as possible. Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit Asia this year, has claimed at least 59 lives since making landfall in Vietnam on Saturday, with winds reaching up to 203 km/h (126 mph).
In the aftermath, the storm has caused significant damage across northern Vietnam. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, at least 44 people have died from landslides and flash floods, including a 68-year-old woman, a one-year-old boy, and a newborn baby. More than 240 individuals have been injured, and approximately 1.5 million people remain without electricity. The typhoon also tore off roofs and uprooted trees across the region.
Though Yagi has since weakened into a tropical depression, authorities are cautioning against potential further flooding and landslides as the storm continues to move westward. In Yen Bai province, floodwaters rose to a meter (three feet) on Monday, leading to the evacuation of 2,400 families, according to AFP news agency.
Yagi has also capsized and carried away dozens of fishing boats. On Sunday, search and rescue teams located 27 individuals adrift at sea after several fishermen were reported missing. Nearly 50,000 people have been evacuated from coastal towns, and authorities have advised residents to remain indoors. Schools in 12 northern provinces, including Hanoi, were temporarily closed.
Before reaching Vietnam, Yagi left a toll of 24 fatalities across southern China and the Philippines. Scientists attribute the growing intensity, frequency, and prolonged duration of typhoons and hurricanes to climate change. Warmer ocean temperatures allow storms to gather more energy, resulting in stronger winds, while a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall.
