Typhoon Yagi: 2024’s Most Powerful Storm Ravages Four Nations, Millions Displaced

Typhoon Yagi, one of the most destructive storms to hit Southeast Asia in recent years, left a trail of devastation across Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. With over 400 lives lost and millions of people displaced, the storm wreaked havoc through strong winds, torrential rain, widespread flooding, and landslides, devastating communities and infrastructures across the region. As the strongest storm to hit Asia this year, Yagi’s aftermath highlights the vulnerability of Southeast Asia to extreme weather events, especially in the context of ongoing political and economic challenges.

The Path and Impact of Typhoon Yagi

Typhoon Yagi began as a powerful cyclone in the Western Pacific before intensifying and landfall across several Southeast Asian countries. The storm battered Vietnam first, making landfall in the northern part of the country, where it unleashed catastrophic winds and heavy rainfall. Vietnam, already susceptible to flooding due to its long coastline and river systems, saw its northern provinces submerged in water. The capital, Hanoi, and 26 other provinces experienced prolonged flooding, with rivers overflowing and inundating vast farmland, towns, and cities. 

Following its devastating landfall in Vietnam, Typhoon Yagi continued its destructive path toward Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, where it brought similar levels of destruction. In Myanmar, which has already been grappling with political turmoil and conflict since a military coup in 2021, the storm exacerbated the country’s humanitarian crisis. The central provinces, including Naypyidaw, Mandalay, and parts of Shan state, were the most brutal hit, with entire towns submerged under water. Flooding and landslides rendered many areas inaccessible, complicating rescue and relief efforts.

Laos and Thailand also faced the wrath of Typhoon Yagi. Northern Thailand, particularly in regions bordering Myanmar, experienced heavy rainfall and flooding, as well as inundated towns and rural communities. Although Thailand was better prepared for disaster response, the damage to infrastructure and agriculture was still substantial. Laos, a smaller country with limited resources, struggled to cope with the flooding, which affected its northern provinces.

Death Toll and Displacement

One of the most alarming aspects of Typhoon Yagi’s destruction was the high death toll and displacement of people across the four affected countries. The total death count across Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand exceeded 500, with 300 deaths in Vietnam alone and nearly 226 in Myanmar. The numbers were expected to rise as many people remained missing, buried under landslides or swept away by floodwaters.

Northern Vietnam, known for its mountainous terrain and vulnerable river systems, experienced the worst flooding. Many victims were trapped in remote villages where access to emergency services was limited due to destroyed roads and bridges. The government reported that more than 40 lakh people had been affected by the storm, with tens of thousands forced to evacuate their homes.

Myanmar’s central provinces, already weakened by years of conflict and political instability, were hit hardest. Floodwaters swept away entire villages, and landslides in hilly regions buried homes and infrastructure. Over 3.2 lakh people were displaced in Myanmar alone, further straining an already overburdened humanitarian system. The junta reported that many displaced were seeking refuge in temporary relief camps, but the lack of adequate resources made the situation dire.

Myanmar faced a similar plight, with entire towns in central provinces submerged, adding to the country’s humanitarian crisis. In Laos and Thailand, the widespread flooding displaced thousands of families, disrupting livelihoods and forcing mass evacuations, though the loss of life was comparatively lower. In all four countries, displaced residents sought refuge in makeshift shelters, while relief teams scrambled to provide food, clean water, and medical care.

Economic Consequences

The economic impact of Typhoon Yagi has been profound across the affected countries, particularly in Vietnam and Myanmar. With an economy heavily reliant on agriculture and manufacturing, Vietnam saw vast swathes of farmland destroyed by the storm. Rice paddies, vegetable farms, and fruit plantations in northern Vietnam were submerged under water, causing significant losses for farmers and threatening the country’s food supply. The economic damage was estimated at around 40 lakh crore, a blow expected to slow the country’s economic growth for the year.

Image Source: UNICEF East Asia Pacific

In Myanmar, the storm compounded an already fragile economy weakened by political conflict and international sanctions. In Vietnam, around 3000 homes have been destroyed. The country’s agriculture sector, a crucial part of its economy, was particularly hard hit, with crops washed away and farming infrastructure destroyed. The junta’s ability to respond to the crisis has been hampered by its ongoing conflict with rebel groups, further complicating recovery efforts.

Thailand and Laos, while not as heavily affected, still face significant economic losses. In northern Thailand, where the storm caused heavy flooding, farmers lost crops, and rural communities saw their homes and livelihoods destroyed. Laos, a smaller and less developed economy, is expected to struggle with rebuilding efforts due to limited resources and infrastructure.

The Humanitarian Crisis in Myanmar

The situation in Myanmar is particularly dire, as the country was already facing a humanitarian crisis before Typhoon Yagi struck. Since the military coup in February 2021, Myanmar has been embroiled in a conflict between the junta and various ethnic rebel groups, leaving millions of people displaced and in need of humanitarian aid. The flooding brought on by Typhoon Yagi has only exacerbated this crisis.

Approximately a third of Myanmar’s population, or 18 million people, were already in need of humanitarian assistance before the storm. The additional displacement of over 3.2 lakh people has overwhelmed the country’s fragile relief system. Temporary relief camps, set up by the government are overcrowded and undersupplied, with many people lacking access to clean water, food, and medical care. The junta has struggled to coordinate an effective response due to ongoing conflict in many of the affected regions, particularly in Shan state, where rebel groups have been fighting for control.

While the immediate priority is to provide relief to the millions of people affected by Typhoon Yagi, the long-term challenge for these countries will be to rebuild their communities, economies, and infrastructures to withstand the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. As Southeast Asia continues to face the growing threat of climate change, it is clear that more needs to be done to strengthen disaster preparedness and response systems to prevent future storms from causing such widespread devastation.

Reference:

https://www.unicef.org/vietnam/reports/viet-nam-typhoon-yagi-situation-report

https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/how-has-typhoon-yagi-devastated-southeast-asia-countries-101726467669227-amp.html#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17270707002901&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com

https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2024/9/18/hundreds-killed-in-floods-as-typhoon-yagi-wreaks-havoc-in-myanmar

https://www.dw.com/en/vietnam-new-storm-brings-deadly-floods-after-typhoon-yagi/a-70308695

Banner Image: Photo by, VNA/VNS//VIET NAM NEWS: Asia News Network at X

https://twitter.com/asianewsnetwork/status/1838791052003606739/photo/1

Photo: UNICEF East Asia Pacific at X