Death toll from Typhoon Yagi rises to 58, while 40 people remain missing

An old woman are being rescued from flood-affected areas in Yên Bái Province. — VNA/VNS Photos

HÀ NỘI — Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful tropical storm of the year, has killed 58 people and left 40 others missing in the northern region due to flooding and landslides.

Among the casualties, 12 people died due to the storm; 72 from landslides and flash floods; 6 from floodwaters; and 8 from the collapse of Phong Châu Bridge in Phú Thọ Province on Monday, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported.

The mountainous province of Cao Bằng has the highest number of deaths and missing persons, with 17 deaths and 16 missing, followed by Lào Cai with 17 deaths and 12 missing, Quảng Ninh with 9 deaths, Hải Phòng with 2 deaths, and Phú Thọ with 8 missing due to the bridge collapse.

The typhoon and flooding have also injured 746 people, including 536 in Quảng Ninh; 81 in Hải Phòng; 5 in Hải Dương; 10 in Hà Nội; 5 in Bắc Giang; 52 in Bắc Ninh; 10 in Lạng Sơn; 14 in Lào Cai; 4 in Yên Bái; 12 in Cao Bằng; and 5 in Phú Thọ.

Additionally, the storm has caused 85 boats to sink in Quảng Ninh, and damaged 148,170 hectares of rice, 25,649 hectares of crops, and 11,038 hectares of fruit trees. It has also swept away 1,577 fish farming cages and killed 1,107 livestock and 678,945 poultry.

According to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, heavy rain has continued in Lào Cai, Yên Bái, Hòa Bình, Phú Thọ, Quảng Ninh, and Thanh Hóa since early Tuesday.

Rainfall from 7pm on Monday to 3am on Tuesday has exceeded 200 mm in some areas, such as Yên Ninh in Yên Bái Province 321.6 mm; Đồng Tâm in Hòa Bình Province 272.8 mm; Hương Sơn in Hà Nội 254.2 mm; Quang Trung in Nam Định Province 207.8 mm.

Local authority in Bạch Thông District, Bắc Kạn Province, supports two families affected by landslides.

Forecasts indicate that by Tuesday night, the northern mountainous and midland regions will experience moderate to heavy rain, with some areas receiving very heavy rainfall, totalling 40-80mm generally, and locally over 150 mm.

Specifically, Lào Cai and Yên Bái will see heavy to very heavy rain with totals of 50-120mm and locally over 250 mm.

On Wednesday, there will be moderate to heavy rain, with some areas experiencing very heavy rain and thunderstorms, with totals of 30-60mm generally, and locally over 120mm.

The Northern Delta, Hòa Bình, Thanh Hóa, and Nghệ An regions will see heavy to very heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms from early Tuesday, with rainfall totals of 50-120mm generally, and locally over 300 mm.

On Wednesday, these regions will continue to experience moderate to heavy rain, with some areas receiving very heavy rain and thunderstorms, with totals of 40-90mm generally, and locally over 200mm.

Hoàng Văn Đại, Deputy Director of the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, has warned of the risk of flooding in low-lying riverbank areas across several provinces, including Lạng Sơn, Cao Bằng, Lào Cai, Yên Bái, Phú Thọ, Bắc Giang, Bắc Kạn, Thái Nguyên, Hòa Bình, Ninh Bình, and Thanh Hóa.

Additionally, flash floods and landslides could occur on steep slopes in the northern mountainous regions and Thanh Hóa.

Đại stated that widespread flooding has occurred throughout northern Việt Nam due to the ongoing floods. Most northern midland and mountainous provinces are under warning for flash floods and landslides on Tuesday.

Official report on bridge collapse

On Monday evening, the People's Committee of Phú Thọ Province reported on the collapse of Phong Châu Bridge.

At approximately 10:02am on Monday, Phong Châu Bridge, which connects Tam Nông and Lâm Thao districts in Phú Thọ Province, collapsed, as floodwaters swept away support pillar T7 and two main spans, per the report.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Trần Quang Phương visits the victims of the Phong Châu Bridge collapse who are being treated at Tam Nông District Medical Centre.

Preliminary reports indicated that at the time of the incident, ten vehicles were on the bridge, including one truck, two tractor-trailers, six motorcycles, and one electric bicycle.

Eight people are missing, and 3 individuals have been rescued and hospitalised.

Immediately after the collapse, leaders from the People's Committee of Phú Thọ Province arrived at the scene and initiated emergency measures to rescue victims.

Due to the high and swift floodwaters, the search and rescue efforts have faced significant challenges, making it difficult to accurately determine the number of vehicles and missing persons.

Phú Thọ is urgently conducting a thorough review to accurately ascertain the number of people and vehicles involved in the incident.

The province is coordinating with Military Region 2, Hà Nội, and Vĩnh Phúc Province to inspect downstream river routes for continued search efforts.

Additionally, preparations are being made to search and rescue in the area around the bridge once conditions allow.

The province is also implementing remote traffic diversion plans, guiding vehicles to alternate routes such as Ngọc Tháp Bridge, Nội Bài-Lào Cai Expressway, and Đồng Quang Bridge. A temporary ferry bridge is being installed to facilitate transportation for the public.

Moreover, Phú Thọ Province has stationed guards, installed warning signs, and set up barriers to alert and prevent people and vehicles from entering the hazardous area.

Phú Thọ has requested the Ministry of National Defence and Military Region 2 to consider installing a temporary pontoon bridge to ensure continued transportation for residents.

The province has also requested that the Prime Minister direct the Ministry of Transport to invest in the construction of a new bridge to replace the old Phong Châu Bridge. — VNS