HANOI/HAIPHONG, Sept 9 – Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit Asia in 2024, has caused widespread destruction in northern Vietnam, leaving at least 46 dead and 22 people missing, according to Vietnam’s disaster management agency. The typhoon made landfall on Saturday, September 7, causing severe flooding, landslides, and significant damage to key industrial zones, particularly in the coastal cities of Haiphong and Quang Ninh, home to numerous foreign and domestic manufacturing plants.
Yagi’s deadly impact has been felt across northern Vietnam as it brought torrential rains, winds, and destruction to critical infrastructure. The typhoon has paralyzed power grids, telecommunications, and transportation networks, leading to disruptions that have rippled through local economies, particularly in industrial areas.
As the storm weakened into a tropical depression by Sunday, government agencies continue to warn of further flooding and landslides, especially in high-risk areas. Here’s an in-depth look at the scale of devastation left behind by Typhoon Yagi and its impact on Vietnam’s economy.
Death Toll Rises as Landslides and Floods Ravage Northern Vietnam
The aftermath of Typhoon Yagi has left the Vietnamese people in shock, with reports confirming that 46 people have tragically lost their lives, while 22 more remain unaccounted for. The majority of these fatalities have been caused by landslides and flash floods that overwhelmed several northern provinces. These catastrophic events have devastated both urban and rural communities, leaving thousands of residents displaced and in dire need of aid.
The provinces hardest hit by Yagi’s destructive path are Phu Tho, Yen Bai, and Ha Giang, where floods and mudslides have wiped out entire villages. In Phu Tho, a medium-sized bridge collapsed on Monday, cutting off a vital transportation link and halting rescue operations. Authorities have stated that their preliminary investigations suggest there were eight vehicles on the bridge when it fell, but the exact number of casualties remains unclear.
Local emergency services and disaster relief agencies are working tirelessly to rescue those trapped by landslides, though many areas remain inaccessible due to flooded roads and ongoing heavy rain. With floodwaters rising and the risk of additional landslides still present, Vietnam’s disaster management agency has called for widespread evacuations in high-risk zones.
Typhoon Yagi’s Impact on Vietnam’s Industrial Heartland
Vietnam’s northeastern coast, which is home to some of the country’s largest industrial zones, bore the brunt of Typhoon Yagi’s ferocity. The coastal city of Haiphong, an economic powerhouse with a population of 2 million, was one of the worst-affected areas. Factories in Haiphong and neighboring Quang Ninh have reported widespread damage, with roofs ripped off and facilities inundated by floodwaters.
DEEP C Industrial Zones, which house more than 150 foreign and domestic investors, has been severely impacted. Industrial managers are scrambling to salvage equipment and prevent further damage as power cuts and water damage cripple their operations. According to Bruno Jaspaert, head of DEEP C, workers and managers are working round the clock to secure factory sites and dry out stock in preparation for more rain expected later in the week. “Everyone is scrambling to make sites safe and stocks dry,” Jaspaert said.
One of the most significant industrial casualties of Typhoon Yagi was LG Electronics, a South Korean multinational with a major presence in Haiphong. Pictures from the Trang Due Industrial Zone show collapsed walls at one of LG’s factories. The company reported that a warehouse storing refrigerators and washing machines had been flooded, causing substantial damage to its inventory. Fortunately, no casualties were reported among LG’s employees, but the financial cost of the damage is expected to be significant.
Factories Face Prolonged Power Cuts, Production Disruptions
The power outage caused by Typhoon Yagi was another blow to Vietnam’s manufacturing sector. State-run power provider EVN reported that more than 5.7 million customers, including households and industrial sites, lost power during the weekend as dozens of major power lines were knocked down by the storm. By Monday, power had been restored to nearly 75% of affected areas, but key industrial hubs in Haiphong, Quang Ninh, and other northern provinces remain without electricity.
Factories in Haiphong are facing prolonged production disruptions due to the power outage and flooding. One factory manager described the scene as chaotic, with workers and managers trying to secure equipment and inventory in factories where metal sheet roofs had been blown away by the storm’s fierce winds. “It’s going to take weeks to get things back to normal, and that’s only if the power comes back soon,” the manager said.
In addition to power outages, telecommunications networks were disrupted, making communication difficult for both businesses and rescue workers. Flooded highways and blocked roads have also made it difficult for supply chains to function, with many factories halting production until conditions improve.
Economic Impact of Typhoon Yagi on Vietnam’s Manufacturing Sector
The economic fallout from Typhoon Yagi is expected to be significant, particularly for Vietnam’s manufacturing and export-oriented industries. Haiphong and Quang Ninh are key regions for both foreign and domestic manufacturers, many of whom have been drawn to Vietnam’s competitive labor market and strategic location as a hub for exporting goods to international markets. The storm’s impact on factories in these regions is expected to ripple through supply chains, causing delays in production and shipments.
One of the most affected sectors is electronics manufacturing. LG Electronics, a major player in the global market for home appliances, has suffered extensive damage to its facilities in Haiphong, which could delay shipments of refrigerators, washing machines, and other appliances to international markets. South Korean firms with a strong presence in Vietnam’s coastal industrial zones have also reported widespread damage. “Lots of damages,” said Hong Sun, the chairman of the South Korean business association in Vietnam, when asked about the storm’s impact on Korean factories.
In the construction sector, federal infrastructure projects in the region have been delayed due to the typhoon, with some sites completely flooded or damaged. The economic cost of rebuilding damaged infrastructure, factories, and power grids is expected to be immense, straining both public resources and private businesses in the aftermath of the storm.
Flood and Landslide Warnings Continue in Northern Vietnam
Although Typhoon Yagi has weakened into a tropical depression, Vietnam’s meteorological agency is warning of continued risks from heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides. The agency has issued warnings for northern provinces, including the capital city of Hanoi, which is home to over 8.5 million people. Authorities have called for precautionary measures to be taken, especially in high-risk areas prone to landslides.
In the aftermath of the storm, rescuers are still working to evacuate residents from areas threatened by landslides and rising floodwaters. Many of the affected areas are mountainous, making it difficult for emergency responders to reach isolated communities. The threat of further landslides remains high, especially in regions where the soil has been loosened by days of heavy rain.
Vietnam’s Resilience in the Face of Natural Disasters
Vietnam is no stranger to typhoons and other natural disasters, but the scale of Typhoon Yagi’s destruction has tested the country’s resilience. In the wake of the storm, the government has mobilized disaster relief efforts, deploying military personnel, emergency services, and aid organizations to the hardest-hit regions.
The immediate priority for authorities is to prevent further loss of life and assist those affected by the storm, particularly those displaced by floods and landslides. Local and international aid organizations are coordinating efforts to provide food, clean water, medical supplies, and temporary shelter for displaced families.
The economic recovery process, however, will be long and challenging. Rebuilding damaged infrastructure, restoring power, and resuming industrial production will take weeks, if not months. For Vietnam’s manufacturing sector, which plays a vital role in the country’s economy, the damage caused by Typhoon Yagi underscores the vulnerability of key industries to natural disasters.
Conclusion: A Country Struggling to Rebuild After Typhoon Yagi’s Devastation
Typhoon Yagi has left a trail of devastation across northern Vietnam, with 46 confirmed dead, 22 missing, and extensive damage to critical infrastructure and factories. The storm’s impact on the country’s manufacturing sector, particularly in Haiphong and Quang Ninh, is expected to have far-reaching economic consequences.
As Vietnam faces the monumental task of recovery, the government, local communities, and businesses are working together to restore normalcy. With the continued threat of floods and landslides, the coming days will be crucial in determining how quickly the country can bounce back from the worst storm it has faced this year.