The death toll from Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam has risen to 143 dead and 58 missing, the Asian country's government announced today.
Some 2.100.000 crowns of crops were destroyed, according to agriculture ministry officials.
Authorities did not clarify whether this tally included the victims of a new landslide that was announced earlier in Lao Cai province. There the victims were 22 and 73 people are missing.
Bridge collapse
It is the most powerful storm to hit Asia this year, with winds exceeding 16 Beaufort, according to the BBC.
Nearly 50.000 people were evacuated from coastal cities in Vietnam
At least three people have so far been rescued and 13 are missing after the Phong Chau Bridge in Phu Tho province, a 375-meter-long structure, collapsed.
Nearly 50.000 people were evacuated from coastal cities in Vietnam, with authorities issuing a stay-at-home warning. Schools were temporarily closed in 12 northern provinces, including Hanoi.
Before hitting Vietnam, Typhoon Yagi left 24 people dead in southern China and the Philippines.
Extensive damage
The typhoon hit the northeast coast of Vietnam on Saturday, home to large manufacturing plants of domestic and foreign companies. It was downgraded to a tropical storm on Sunday, but the weather service warned on Monday of further flooding and landslides.
Yagi knocked out power to millions of households and businesses, flooded highways, disrupted telecommunications networks, downed a medium-sized bridge and thousands of trees, and halted economic activity in many industrial centers.
Weather service 'bell' for more flooding
The weather service warned of more flooding and landslides and said heavy rain and strong winds were expected late Monday in the capital Hanoi, a city of 8,5 million people.
State electricity provider EVN said more than 5,7 million customers lost power over the weekend as dozens of power lines snapped, but power was restored on Monday to nearly 75 percent of those affected.
Source: in.gr