Vietnam. Since 7 September 2024, typhoon Yagi, considered the strongest super typhoon of 2024 in the Pacific Northwest and recorded as one of the strongest in the last 30 years in the Eastern Sea, rages over northern Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries such as Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, causing extensive damage and loss of life.
The National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting reported that the Yagi typhoon has unusual characteristics, such as an intensity that increased very rapidly and a level of attenuation that did not follow the usual pattern. This has led to heavy and widespread rains caused by the circulation of the storm on land for a longer time than expected.
25 Northern Vietnamese provinces have been hit by severe flooding. The Thao River in Lao Cai and Yen Bai provinces have reached their historic peak, which had not been reached for 53 years.
Around 10:00 am on 9 September, due to the rising water of the Thao River (Red River), the Phong Chau bridge, which connects the districts of Tam Nong and Lam Thao in Phu Tho province, collapsed, sweeping away the central pylon and the two main bays. The web immediately spread the impressive images of the collapse, which swallowed cars, trucks, and motorcycles, causing eight missing – two of them safe – and three injured.
Heavy rains have caused landslides, sudden floods, and flash floods in many localities, such as Cao Bang, Hoa Binh, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Quang Ninh, and others. In the early hours of 10 September, a sudden flood hit the village of Nu, in the district of Bao Yen, Lao Cai province, wiping out a village with more than 30 families, about 170 people, of whom over 50 died, while others are missing or displaced. Due to the disruption of circulation, rescuers were only able to arrive on site several hours after the landslide.
Consequences of typhoon Yagi
On 16 September, there were more than 280 victims, about 70 missing, and more than 1,900 wounded. Some 257,000 houses, 1,300 schools, and many infrastructure works have collapsed. The damage was concentrated in Quang Ninh Province, the city of Hai Phong, which was hit by the storm, and in the provinces of Lao Cai, Lang Son, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Yen Bai. There are 305 dike accidents.
In addition, more than 200,000 hectares of rice crops were damaged, over 50,000 hectares of crops, almost 32,000 hectares of fruit trees, and thousands of livestock and poultry were lost.
The government, diocesan Caritas, humanitarian organizations, groups, and individuals are supporting victims of the typhoon, floods., and landslides so that they may return to normality soon.
Presence and support of the Vietnamese FMA
The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians communities in North Vietnam were affected by typhoon Yagi and flooding, but did not suffer serious property damage.
On the morning of September 10, due to the impact of Typhoon Yagi and heavy rains, the water level in rivers and streams rose, the Thac Ba hydroelectric dam, Yen Binh district, Yen Bai province, opened 3 gates to release water and ensure the safety of the hydroelectric dam. Therefore, families around Lake Thac Ba were forced to evacuate on high hills or in safe areas.
The FMA of Yen Binh’s dorm – belonging to the Ha Noi community – opened their doors to accommodate some families around the lake who were in danger and had to evacuate. The Sisters warmly welcomed about 25 people, including Catholics and non-Catholics, children, pregnant women, elderly people, etc. In addition, 7 students from the landslide-affected area of Yen Thanh were accommodated in the dorm.
The Sisters and students cooked rice and helped clean up some people’s houses after the flood. All then gathered in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
The FMA helped deliver essential goods to families, bringing comfort and encouragement to overcome this difficult situation. Fortunately, families close to their dorm were evacuated in time and no one was injured or died. Some owners of plywood workshops suffered severe losses, as boards were washed away by water and machinery was flooded and damaged.
In a spirit of communion, the sisters continue to pray, encourage, and seek assistance to help families return to normality after the flood.
Sister Maria Khanh Hau, FMA, who works with the Caritas of the Diocese of Hung Hoa where 10 provinces and cities were flooded, together with priests, other Council Sisters, and groups of volunteers, brought relief goods to isolated people in the villages. They also went to help the victims in the village of Nu, municipality of Phuc Khanh, district of Bao Yen.
The FMA of the entire Mary Help of Christians Province (VTN) have been close in prayerful communion with the people of the North. Students from schools, catechism classes, and various groups were invited to pray and contribute their savings, together with FMA communities, to support people in flood-affected areas, especially in areas where FMA are present, So that they can overcome the consequences of the typhoon and floods and return to a safe life soon.
Pope Francis, in the Angelus on Sunday 15 September, recalled this difficult situation, “I express my closeness to the people of Vietnam and Myanmar, who are suffering from floods caused by a violent typhoon. Pray for the dead, the wounded, and the displaced. God sustain those who have lost their loved ones and their homes, and bless those who are bringing help.”
The Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians offers concrete support to the population and relies on the generosity and solidarity of all. You can send contributions and offerings in the ways indicated on the Website of the FMA Institute, designating in the reason: Emergency Vietnam.
Whether Christian or Muslim none can stand before God and Nature.