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Description of the crisis
On 7 September 2024, Typhoon Yagi made landfall in Viet Nam, striking Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city, bringing torrential rain and winds exceeding 200 km/h. The typhoon dissipated on 8 September 2024, leaving behind severe flooding and landslides, exacerbated by large upstream floods and prolonged downpours, particularly in the northern mountainous provinces and urban areas such as Ha Noi.
Typhoon Yagi was recorded as the strongest typhoon Viet Nam has experienced in the past 30 years. It affected the entire northern region, home to a population of 19 million. Among the 12 most damaged provinces, Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, and Yen Bai have declared a state of emergency. As of 27 September 2024, the typhoon resulted in 318 deaths, 26 missing persons, 1,976 injuries, the evacuation of over 130,000 people, and initial damages amounting to more than VND 81,000 billion (approximately CHF 2,43 billion), as reported in the conference on “Preliminary, evaluating, learning experiences on the prevention and overcoming of the consequences of typhoon No. 3” chaired by the Prime Minister of Viet Nam and attended by the leaders of ministries, branches, 26 provinces and cities. The typhoon left a trail of devastation, affecting public and private properties, including offices, schools, and buildings, many of which suffered roof damage, while large areas experienced disruptions to telecommunications and power.
As of 27 September 2024, the damages reported by relevant government agencies are as follows:
⚫ 282,000 houses damaged.
⚫ More than 285,000 hectares of rice, crops, and fruit trees destroyed.
⚫ Approximately 5.6 million poultry and livestock, and 11,832 aquaculture cages were lost.
⚫ Transportation, communication, market, and water supply facilities were severely affected by the flooding and landslides due to the typhoon.
According to the initial data and assessment report from the Viet Nam Red Cross Society (VNRC) on 23 September 2024, access to roads and markets is gradually returning to normal. While essential supplies like food are available, shortages of key staples such as rice and corn are anticipated in the coming months.
Northern Viet Nam is a mountainous region, where access to essential services and markets can be challenging.
Additionally, ethnic minority groups in these areas are disproportionately affected by economic disparities, resulting in higher levels of poverty and limited access to education, healthcare, and financial services, further exacerbating their vulnerability to ongoing risks.
Viet Nam remains highly vulnerable to recurring floods and landslides due to its exposure to monsoon rains and tropical cyclones. The risk of landslides and flash floods persists in the mountainous provinces in the northern part of Viet Nam, which may create challenges for relief activities.