Beyond Vietnam: How Typhoon Yagi is now flooding Thailand, Myanmar and Laos

Millions across Southeast Asia are struggling with the destruction left in
Typhoon Yagi’s wake, as homes remain flooded, power is cut off, and infrastructure lies in ruins.

Tearing through
Vietnam over the weekend with winds reaching up to 92 mph, the storm caused widespread devastation, particularly in the capital, Hanoi, where flash floods and landslides struck hard.

According to the government’s disaster management agency, the death toll in Vietnam has climbed to 226, with 104 people still missing.

As the storm ravaged Vietnam, it brought torrential rain that has overwhelmed Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, leading to deadly landslides and severe river flooding.

Here’s a closer look at how Typhoon Yagi has devastated Southeast Asia.

Thailand

Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit Asia this year, has caused widespread devastation across Thailand.

Floodwaters have surged into parts of Chiang Rai city, one of the largest urban areas in northern Thailand, submerging key roads and various parts of the city.

While some areas of the heavily affected Mai Sai district have seen floodwaters recede, many riverside communities remain submerged, according to district head Narongpol Kid-an, who spoke to Reuters.

“We are rushing to bring out people trapped inside their houses,” Narongpol said. “There are still hundreds of people who need to be rescued.”

Rescue operations, supported by Thai Navy SEAL special forces, are being carried out using boats and helicopters, he added.

Local authorities are planning to use Thai Air Force helicopters to deliver food and water to approximately 3,000 stranded residents in Chiang Rai’s Ban Kwai Wua Dam area. An additional 200 people remain trapped in a school, waiting to be evacuated to a rescue centre, according to the provincial office.

Since mid-August, at least 33 people have died across Thailand due to rain-related incidents, including landslides. Nine of these fatalities occurred this week in two northern provinces hit by Typhoon Yagi, according to government reports.

“The situation is very delicate,” Narongpol explained. “When it rains, the water rises very quickly.”

On Thursday, Thailand’s Office of National Water Resources issued flash flood warnings for 36 provinces, including the capital Bangkok, due to the ongoing heavy rainfall.

Myanmar

Typhoon Yagi has left has also caused severe flooding in Myanmar.

The deluge has impacted nearly 4,000 residents in Tachileik town in Shan state, Myanmar, with heavy rains affecting other regions, including Mandalay, Magway, Ayeyarwady, Chin, Kayin, and Rakhine, Vietnam+ reported.

“Houses have been swept away by the floods,” a resident of Tatkon township told Radio Free Asia. “We’re trapped in the village and can’t go anywhere. We’ve called rescue teams, but no one has come.”

Rail connections between Yangon and Mandalay have been suspended due to the severe flooding, the state-run newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar confirmed. Floodwaters have severely affected the low-lying capital Naypyidaw, with Taungoo also facing rising river levels.

According to local media reports, rescue teams and firefighters have recovered seven bodies from submerged villages in the Mandalay region, the fire service reported on its Facebook page. This adds to the ten bodies found earlier in the same area on Wednesday.

Meteorologist Win Naing told Radio Free Asia that more flooding is likely in Myanmar’s southern delta region as water flows downstream along the Ayeyarwady River.

Laos

Laos has also witnessed destruction as Typhoon Yagi struck the nation.

The worst-affected region is Luang Namtha Province, where flooding and landslides have caused significant property damage and left many residents stranded, Vietnam+ reported.

Videos and images circulating on social media show homes in Luang Namtha submerged, with belongings swept away by the floods. Many residents are trapped inside their houses, taking refuge on rooftops to escape the rising waters.

In Sayaboury and Oudomxay provinces, large areas of agricultural land have been affected, forcing residents to seek safety in higher areas. In Namor district, Oudomxay, 11 villages have been impacted by flooding and landslides, leading to power outages.

In response to the disaster, Laos has swiftly mobilised relief efforts to assist affected families.

As of September 12, authorities have reported at least one fatality in the country.

The Mekong River Commission, which oversees the vital waterway, issued a flood warning on Thursday for the historic city of Luang Prabang, according to AFP. 

With input from agencies