Link to Article:https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/environment/northern-vietnam-faces-widespread-landslide-threats-as-typhoon-yagi-deaths-rise-4790636.html
On September 7th, Typhoon Yagi, one of the strongest storms to have hit the Eastern Sea and her bordering Countries in thirty years, made landfall in Northern Vietnam. At the time of the release of the article, at least 65 were confirmed dead. Rice fields have been flooded, and fruit trees and vegetables have been destroyed. The Typhoon has also cut out power in multiple provinces, leaving many without electricity. The current death toll and missing persons have been attributed to Landslides and severe flooding caused by the Typhoon. Landslides have affected 17 provinces already. Rainfall reached 300-440mm, with wind speeds up to 166kph.
While this area of the world is not unfamiliar with Typhoons, the damaged caused in Vietnam will likely be similar in other bordering countries that the Typhoon will pass through and could have larger economical impacts on the countries affected and the countries that trade with them. Vietnam is very agrarian and most of their economy comes from their rice, fruits and vegetables. Not only will this affect the local economy but countries that trade with them. I do not believe that there will be a shortage of rice as there are other countries that are able to grow them, but it could still affect trade deals and potentially increase the price of rice and other produce from the area for a while.
The reported strength of the typhoon could prompt Climate activists and independent organizations to appeal for more environmental policies, as the typhoon has been out of the storm patterns of the last thirty years. It would not be surprising that the environmental groups would be able to garner more attention readily following a natural disaster. Once the damage is fully counted, the Vietnamese government will be pressured to provide its citizens with as much relief as possible. Both of these actors will affect the economy in the area, igniting a centuries-old debate once again about how much a government should step into the economy during a crisis.
NGO’s are going to play the most significant role in the immediate future of Vietnam and other countries affected by the typhoon. Health organizations like the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders might come in to try and lift the medical burden of citizens, especially those in more rural and secluded areas. On the flip side, Climate organizations will likely point to the typhoon as further proof to push for stricter environmental regulations in international treaties like the Paris Agreement. While Vietnam was the first typhoon victim, other countries like the Philippines and Taiwan will likely face similar destruction found in Vietnam. With Eastern Europe beginning to flood after a storm, I think a sudden surge in climate activism in the coming months shouldn’t surprise anyone.