Vietnam Death Toll Climbs, Typhoon's Aftermath Brings Flash Floods and Landslides

People transport basic commodities on a boat through flood waters on a street in Hanoi on September 12, 2024, as heavy rains in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi brought flooding to northern Vietnam. (Photo by NHAC NGUYEN / AFP)
People transport basic commodities on a boat through flood waters on a street in Hanoi on September 12, 2024, as heavy rains in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi brought flooding to northern Vietnam. (Photo by NHAC NGUYEN / AFP)
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Vietnam Death Toll Climbs, Typhoon's Aftermath Brings Flash Floods and Landslides

People transport basic commodities on a boat through flood waters on a street in Hanoi on September 12, 2024, as heavy rains in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi brought flooding to northern Vietnam. (Photo by NHAC NGUYEN / AFP)
People transport basic commodities on a boat through flood waters on a street in Hanoi on September 12, 2024, as heavy rains in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi brought flooding to northern Vietnam. (Photo by NHAC NGUYEN / AFP)

Nearly 200 people have died in Vietnam in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi and more than 125 are missing as flash floods and landslides take their toll, state media reported Thursday.
Vietnam's VNExpress newspaper reported that 197 people have died and 128 are still missing, while more than 800 have been injured.
In the capital, flood waters from the Red River receded slightly but many areas were still inundated, The Associated Press said.
In Hanoi's Tay Ho district, people waded through muddy brown water above their knees to make their way along one street, some still wearing their bicycle and motorcycle helmets after abandoning their vehicles along the way.
Yagi was the strongest typhoon to hit the Southeast Asian country in decades. It made landfall Saturday with winds of up to 149 kph (92 mph). Despite weakening on Sunday, downpours continued and rivers remain dangerously high.
The flooding in Hanoi has been reportedly the worst in two decades, and has led to widespread evacuations.
The death toll spiked earlier in the week as a flash flood swept away the entire hamlet of Lang Nu in northern Vietnam's Lao Cai province Tuesday.
Hundreds of rescue personnel worked tirelessly Wednesday to search for survivors, but as of Thursday morning 53 villagers remained missing, VNExpress reported, while seven more bodies were found, bringing the death toll there to 42.
Floods and landslides have caused most of the deaths, many of which have come in the northwestern Lao Cai province, bordering China, where Lang Nu is located. Lao Cai province is also home to the popular trekking destination of Sapa.
On Monday, a bridge collapsed and a bus was swept away by flooding, killing dozens of people.
The steel bridge in Phu Tho province over the engorged Red River collapsed, sending 10 cars and trucks along with two motorbikes into the river. The bus carrying 20 people was swept into a flooded stream by a landslide in mountainous Cao Bang province.



French PM Promises Concrete Aid for Cyclone-hit Mayotte

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou (C) and  French Minister of the Overseas Manuel Valls (2ndR) react as they visit the ESCRIM hospital in Mamoudzou on the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, on December 30, 2024. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou (C) and French Minister of the Overseas Manuel Valls (2ndR) react as they visit the ESCRIM hospital in Mamoudzou on the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, on December 30, 2024. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)
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French PM Promises Concrete Aid for Cyclone-hit Mayotte

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou (C) and  French Minister of the Overseas Manuel Valls (2ndR) react as they visit the ESCRIM hospital in Mamoudzou on the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, on December 30, 2024. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou (C) and French Minister of the Overseas Manuel Valls (2ndR) react as they visit the ESCRIM hospital in Mamoudzou on the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, on December 30, 2024. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou arrived in Mayotte on Monday, vowing to bring help to the Indian Ocean territory ravaged by a cyclone.

The most devastating cyclone to hit Mayotte in 90 years caused colossal damage in France's poorest department in mid-December, killing at least 39 people and leaving more than 4,000 injured, according to the latest count.

Authorities have warned the death toll could rise in the archipelago.

The people of Mayotte "often have the sentiment that what we bring them are assurance, pretty words of solidarity,” Bayrou said after visiting a desalination plant.

But what they want is "concrete" action, he said.

"After a day of dialogue, we will announce tonight a plan named 'Mayotte standing', that will pave the way," he added.

"And afterwards, there will be a second phase. A long-term plan. Because it's not just about rebuilding Mayotte as it was. It's about designing a different future for Mayotte."

Bayrou arrived in the territory accompanied by a large delegation including education minister Elisabeth Borne and Manuel Valls, the new overseas territories minister.

The 73-year-old Bayrou, only recently appointed prime minister, had faced criticism for attending a town hall meeting in his home city while Mayotte grappled with the aftermath of the deadly cyclone.