Typhoon Yagi hit Vietnam hard on Saturday. Subsequent heavy rain triggered multiple floods and landslides. At least 87 people lost their lives in the devastation. Hundreds of people sustained injuries, and several dozen are still missing.
The devastation that natural disasters—like earthquakes, tornados, and typhoons—cause can be tragic and difficult to understand. Christians can trust that “the Lord has made everything for its purpose.” (Proverbs 16:4)
Hurricanes, tropical cyclones, and typhoons are names for large tropical storms. All involve low pressure, heavy rain, and high winds. The name difference lies in where the storm takes place. Storms that occur in the northwest Pacific Ocean, like Yagi, are called typhoons.
Yagi was the strongest typhoon to hit Vietnam in decades. It made landfall on Saturday with winds whipping up to 92 miles per hour. The storm weakened on Sunday, but intense downpours continued.
Factories in northern provinces like Haiphong incurred damage. Water levels in several rivers, including the Red River that flows through the capital of Hanoi, were dangerously high. Authorities evacuated families living close to the river on Tuesday.
VTV is Vietnam’s state broadcaster. The station reported that 87 people have died as a result of the typhoon, and 70 remain missing. Flooding and landslides caused most of the deaths, officials say.
One of the hardest-hit provinces is Cao Bang. A landslide there tipped a bus carrying about 20 people into a flooded stream on Monday. The river swept the bus away. Rescuers were able to save one person. Most of the other people on board remain missing, state media VN Express says.
Heavy rainfall and landslides also occurred in northwestern Lao Cai province. That area borders China. Video shows soil sliding down a hill onto houses and a road as people flee to safety.
A steel bridge in northern Phu Tho province collapsed into the Red River. Reports say 10 cars and trucks and two motorbikes fell into the river. Three people were rescued while more remain missing, state media say. Officials add that rescue operations are continuing.
Pray for those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods in these disasters. Pray that God will give rescuers strength and wisdom as they search for the missing.
