Yagi devastation: Vietnam draws lessons from storm response measures

Severe consequences

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan stated that typhoon Yagi was the most powerful storm in the East Sea over the past 30 years, and also the most powerful to make landfall in Vietnam for 70 years, severely impacting all 26 provinces in northern and northcentral regions.  

Most notably, heavy rain caused landslides and flash floods to hit northeastern mountainous localities, mainly in Lao Cai, Yen Bai, and Cao Bang, leaving more than 400 dead or missing.

The military and police forces mobilised nearly 300,000 officers, soldiers, and local militia, along with numerous vehicles, in a bid to assist people in dealing with and recovering from the disaster. The authorities promptly informed and guided more than 51,000 fishing boats and vessels at sea to return to storm shelters. Most citizens proactively followed state instructions in response to the storm and the subsequent flooding.

Immediately after typhoon Yagi dissipated, the entire political system and all people nationwide joined hands to support communities in recovering from the devastating impact of the disaster.

The Government immediately delivered rescue, medical, and essential supplies as part of efforts to promptly support localities in need. Domestic organisations and individuals raised more than VND1.76 trillion, while international organisations provided emergency relief aid worth more than US$20 million.

To date, approximately 80% to 90% of the 277,000 houses which suffered roof damage and destruction during the height of the storm have been repaired. Additionally, 4,793 households whose homes collapsed have been provided with temporary accommodation while awaiting resettlement and reconstruction.

The electricity, water, and telecommunications systems have mostly been restored, transportation routes have been repaired and reopened, and healthcare facilities have been initially restored to ensure medical services are available for residents. The Government, along with various ministries, sectors, and localities, has introduced a range of coordinated and decisive solutions to assist with the recovery of production and business operations.

Storm prevention and control lessons learned

At the meeting, PM Chinh outlined five key lessons learned about storm prevention and control. According to the PM, forecasting and warning systems must be both timely and accurate, while directions must be closely aligned with reality, toward the primary goal of protecting the lives, property, and health of local people.

It is necessary to mobilise all available resources from the state and community, and strictly adopt the ‘four on-site approach’ in disaster prevention and recovery efforts, said the PM.

Ministries, sectors, and localities must proactively engage in disaster prevention and recovery efforts, while simultaneously prioritising communication campaigns and providing guidance on skills for disaster preparedness and recovery, he added.

With regard to future tasks, the Government leader asked relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to ensure that people do not face shortages of food, clothing, or shelter, children can attend school, patients receive medical care, and production and business activities are restored to further support growth and inflation control goals.

He asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance to propose appropriate and equitable funding in support of localities.

More efforts must also be made to repair damaged infrastructure, particularly schools, health centres, and hospitals, by the end of October at the latest. In addition, families that have lost their homes must have their facilities rebuilt by this December at the latest, he ordered.

Most notably, he requested that Phu Tho province, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Construction, and relevant agencies, urgently build a new Phong Chau Bridge following its collapse during the height of the violent flooding which occurred in the aftermath of typhoon Yagi.