Typhoon Yagi leaves destruction and at least four dead in Vietnam and the Philippines.

Typhoon Yagi, considered the most powerful recorded in Asia this year, has left a trail of destruction in its wake as it passed through Vietnam, where it has weakened into a tropical storm. The devastation it caused has resulted in at least four deaths and significant material damages, mainly in the northern part of the country. Authorities have begun assessing the impact of the typhoon in densely populated areas such as Haiphong and Hanoi, cities that have seen their infrastructures severely affected. This weather phenomenon has not only hit Vietnam but has also passed through several regions before reaching its final destination. Along its path, Yagi left at least two dead in the Chinese island province of Hainan and caused the deaths of 20 people in the Philippines. With the arrival of this typhoon, concerns about climate change and the vulnerability of regions prone to such natural disasters have intensified, a topic that resonates throughout Southeast Asia, where storms are becoming increasingly frequent and destructive. Upon arriving in Vietnam, Yagi brought sustained winds of 118 kilometers per hour and gusts that reached up to 149 kilometers per hour. The city of Haiphong, with over two million inhabitants, was one of the main impact points. Since Saturday afternoon, the city has been working hard to clear the streets, which were covered by more than 2,200 fallen trees, as well as light poles and streetlights that were knocked down by the force of the wind. The capital, Hanoi, also felt the brunt of the typhoon, which caused flooding and damage to urban infrastructure. Although the death toll remains at four, authorities continue to monitor the situation, as the risks of flooding, flash floods, and landslides persist in the affected areas. The Vietnam Meteorological Department has urged the population to stay alert, as weather conditions could remain adverse in the coming days. The emergency response has been swift and organized. Before Yagi's arrival, approximately 50,000 people were evacuated from high-risk areas. Additionally, nearly half a million soldiers have been mobilized to assist in rescue and recovery efforts. This massive mobilization underscores the seriousness with which Vietnamese authorities are addressing the crisis, trying to minimize the impact on citizens' lives and the country's infrastructure. As the storm weakens, Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport has resumed normal activities, allowing air transport to return to normal. Airport authorities reported that the damages sustained have not affected flight operations, which is a relief for travelers and for the country's economy, which heavily relies on air transport for trade and tourism. However, the situation is not the same everywhere. In Hainan, where Yagi passed before reaching Vietnam, the typhoon left more than 1.5 million homes without electricity, complicating recovery efforts in that region. Chinese authorities are also conducting the necessary assessments to determine the extent of the damages and coordinate the needed assistance for those affected. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, the passage of Yagi has left a tragic toll of 20 dead, 26 missing, and 22 injured. Communities in Luzon are dealing with the aftermath of the storm, and emergency teams continue to work to find the missing and provide assistance to those who have lost everything. This devastating path of destruction across multiple countries highlights the interconnectedness of climate crises in the region and the need for a collaborative approach to disaster management. The experience of Yagi is a stark reminder that extreme weather events are becoming a new normal in Southeast Asia. With climate change exacerbating the frequency and intensity of storms, it is essential for governments in the region to work together to develop more effective mitigation and response strategies, not only to protect their citizens but also to safeguard the future of their economies and environments. Resilience and preparedness are now more crucial than ever in a world where storms like Yagi can arise with little warning and wreak havoc in their path.