Hanoi. The death toll from the typhoon that struck Vietnam has risen to 233 as rescue teams continue to recover bodies from landslides and flash floods, state media reported on Friday.

In Hanoi, floodwaters from the swollen Red River are starting to recede, but many neighborhoods remain submerged. Further north, experts anticipate it may still be several days before conditions improve.

Typhoon Yagi, which made landfall on Saturday, has caused a week of intense rain, resulting in flash floods and landslides, especially in Vietnam’s mountainous north. As of Friday, 103 people are still missing and over 800 have been injured.

The province of Lao Cai has been hardest hit. A flash flood on Tuesday destroyed the entire hamlet of Lang Nu. While eight villagers were found safe, 48 have been confirmed dead and 39 are still missing. Roads to Lang Nu are severely damaged, hampering rescue operations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the area on Thursday and assured that rescue efforts would continue despite the challenging conditions. "Their families are in agony," Chinh said.

In Cao Bang province, another northern region, 21 bodies have been recovered from a landslide that pushed a bus, car, and motorcycles into a river. Ten people remain missing.

Experts attribute the increasing strength of storms like Typhoon Yagi to climate change, which fuels stronger winds and heavier rainfall. The typhoon’s impact is also being felt in northern Thailand, Laos, and northeastern Myanmar, with Thailand reporting 10 deaths.

In response, international aid is arriving in Vietnam, with Australia, South Korea, and the U.S. pledging $5 million in humanitarian assistance. The U.S. Embassy stated that aid would be coordinated through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to ensure it reaches those in need.

The typhoon has also disrupted industrial activities in northern provinces like Haiphong, potentially affecting global supply chains. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) noted that while many businesses in Haiphong are expected to resume operations, repair efforts could impact output in the coming weeks and months.

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