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Vietnam is reeling from the catastrophic impact of Typhoon Yagi, which made landfall over the weekend, unleashing a torrent of rain and destruction across the Southeast Asian nation. The typhoon has been identified as the most powerful storm to strike Vietnam in decades, leaving a trail of devastation that includes a collapsed bridge, a swept-away bus, and significant damage to infrastructure and industries.

A Fatal Toll and Destructive Forces

The toll from Typhoon Yagi, which hit Vietnam on Saturday before weakening into a tropical depression, has reached more than 50 confirmed deaths. In the mountainous Cao Bang province, a passenger bus carrying was engulfed by a landslide-induced flood, with rescue operations hindered by further landslides. As of Monday morning, rescue teams have managed to recover few survivors, but some people remain missing.

In Phu Tho province, the situation is similarly dire. A steel bridge over the swollen Red River collapsed early Monday, causing vehicles and motorbikes to plunge into the water. Some of them have been rescued from the river, but search efforts are ongoing for those who are still unaccounted.

Economic Impact and Industrial Disruption

The typhoon’s aftermath has wrought extensive damage on Vietnam’s industrial heartland. In Haiphong, an important industrial hub, several factories have been severely damaged. Roofs have been torn off and water has infiltrated production areas, damaging both goods and equipment. Power outages have compounded the situation, with electricity poles downed and many factories left without power. It could take up to a month for some businesses to resume operations.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Haiphong on Sunday and announced a relief package of $4.62 million to aid recovery efforts. The storm’s impact on industries, including key exporters like VinFast and Apple suppliers, has led to losses estimated in the millions of dollars.

Agricultural Damage and Continuing Threats

Agriculture has also suffered significant setbacks, with rice-growing regions among the hardest hit. The storm's heavy rains have damaged vast swathes of agricultural land, further straining Vietnam's economic resilience.

Forecasters have warned that heavy rainfall could persist, potentially exceeding 40 centimeters (15 inches) in some areas. In the capital, Hanoi, skies remain overcast with intermittent rain as cleanup efforts progress.

Regional and Global Implications

Typhoon Yagi also wreaked havoc in neighbouring regions before striking Vietnam. The Philippines reported at least 20 fatalities, while southern China experienced four deaths and substantial infrastructure damage. Hainan province alone faced $102 million in losses, with thousands of homes damaged and widespread power and water outages.