At least 179 dead in Vietnam in wake of typhoon Yagi

The death toll has reached 179 and 145 people are reported missing, writes Reuters during Wednesday.

Now central Hanoi is threatened with flooding as well. Local businesses in the area have begun to evacuate.

Worst in decades

Storm Yagi has been described as the worst in decades and reached the country’s northeast coast at the weekend.

As a result of the heavy downpours, rivers in the northern parts of Vietnam have been dangerously high. On Monday, a bridge collapsed over the Red River in Phu Tho province west of Hanoi. Ten cars and trucks, as well as two motorcycles, were swept away.

More rain is expected

The storm has caused Red flows to overflow and reach a water level not measured in 20 years. More rain is also expected in the coming days, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, writes Reuters.

Several areas have also had their electricity turned off for safety reasons.

Threatens trade and shipping

The floods have caused damage to several warehouses and factories in Hanoi, causing several of them to close down. It may take weeks for them to return to normal rates.

The disruption could threaten global shipping as Vietnam receives many ships shipping to the US, Europe and other countries.

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