A busy bridge in northern Vietnam has collapsed within the wake of tremendous hurricane Yagi, plunging 10 vehicles and two scooters into the Purple River, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc mentioned on Monday.
It’s unclear if there have been casualties ensuing from the collapse of the Phong Chau bridge in Phu Tho province. Not less than three individuals have been rescued and 13 are lacking, Mr Ho mentioned.
A part of the 375-metre (1230 toes) bridge continues to be standing, and Mr Ho mentioned he had instructed the army to construct a pontoon bridge as quickly as potential.
Yagi, Asia’s strongest storm this yr, has killed at the least 59 individuals because it made landfall in Vietnam on Saturday, bringing sturdy winds of as much as 203 km/h (126 mph).
Within the days since, the storm has wreaked havoc in northern Vietnam.
Not less than 44 victims had been killed by landslides and flash floods, the nation’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Improvement mentioned on Monday – a 68-year-old girl, a one-year-old boy and a new child child amongst them.
Greater than 240 individuals have been injured, whereas some 1.5 million are nonetheless with out energy.
The hurricane additionally tore roofs from buildings and uprooted bushes.
Though it has weakened right into a tropical melancholy, authorities have warned of extra flooding and landslides because the storm strikes westwards.
Within the Yen Bai province, flood waters reached a metre (three toes) excessive on Monday, with 2,400 households moved to greater floor because the water ranges rose, AFP information company reported.
Yagi additionally sunk and swept adrift dozens of fishing boats. On Sunday, search and rescue personnel discovered 27 individuals drifting at sea after a dozen fishermen had been reported lacking.
Practically 50,000 individuals have been evacuated from coastal cities in Vietnam, with authorities issuing a warning to stay indoors.
Faculties had been briefly closed in 12 northern provinces, together with Hanoi.
Earlier than hitting Vietnam, Yagi left 24 individuals useless throughout southern China and the Philippines.
Scientists say typhoons and hurricanes have gotten stronger, extra frequent and staying over land for longer attributable to local weather change. Hotter ocean waters imply storms decide up extra power, which results in greater wind speeds.
A hotter ambiance additionally holds extra moisture, which might result in extra intense rainfall.