After the super typhoon Yagi hit Vietnam, the water of the country’s Red River is flowing across the border. Thousands of people have been evacuated from the capital Hanoi. Hanoi’s roads are flooded due to the highest water levels in the past two decades.
Typhoon Yagi, the strongest typhoon in East Asia this year, hit the northern part of the country last Saturday. Strong winds and heavy rains caused extensive damage in Red River and surrounding provinces. 179 people lost their lives and a bridge collapsed.
“My house was washed away by the river,” said Nguyen Van Hung, 56, who lives on the banks of the Red River.
Official sources said at least 179 people were killed and 145 were missing across Vietnam due to the typhoon and the resulting landslides and floods.
EVN, Vietnam’s state-run electricity company, said power was cut off in some flooded areas of the capital due to security concerns.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese authorities have expressed concern about the release of water from China’s hydropower projects.
According to EVN, they have stopped releasing water from the Hoa Binh hydroelectric dam to reduce the flow of water into the Da River, a tributary of the Red River.
Mai Van Khiem, director of the National Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Centre, said the water in the Red River has reached its highest level in 20 years and more rain is expected in the next two days.
Some schools in the capital have been closed and students have been asked to stay home for the rest of the week. At the same time, thousands of residents of low-lying areas have been evacuated, according to the government and local media.
The Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, a charity in the city centre, has evacuated its offices due to fears of flooding. Carlota Torres Liro, spokeswoman for the organization, said people were rushing to remove their motorbikes and belongings. He also expressed concern for the children and families living in temporary houses on the banks of the river.
Source: Reuters
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