Hanoi: The death toll in Vietnam has risen to nearly 200, with over 125 individuals still missing as flash floods and landslides continue to cause destruction following Typhoon Yagi.

VNExpress reports that 197 people have perished, 128 are missing, and more than 800 have sustained injuries. The crisis intensified this week when a flash flood obliterated Lang Nu hamlet in Lao Cai province, northern Vietnam, on Tuesday. Despite round-the-clock rescue efforts, 53 villagers were unaccounted for by Thursday morning. Additionally, seven more bodies were found, increasing the local death toll to 42.

The majority of fatalities have been due to floods and landslides, especially in Lao Cai province, which shares a border with China. Lang Nu, the ravaged hamlet, is situated here, near the well-known tourist spot of Sapa.

Landslides and heavy rain have obstructed roads throughout the province, disrupting transportation. Van A Po, a Sapa tour guide, shared his fears, noting that trekking has been halted for safety. The tourism sector, vital to the local economy, is at a standstill, leaving many employees stranded. Nguyen Van Luong, a hotel employee, is among those stuck because the road to his village is too perilous to traverse. He remarked, “The road is severely damaged, and landslides could occur anytime,” adding that his family advised him to remain in Sapa until conditions improve.

In a separate tragic event, a bridge in Phu Tho province gave way to the Red River, dragging 10 vehicles and two motorcycles into the water. Additionally, a bus with 20 passengers was carried off by a landslide-induced flood in Cao Bang province, resulting in numerous deaths.

Typhoon Yagi, the strongest storm Vietnam has seen in years, struck on Saturday with winds of up to 149 kph. Although the typhoon weakened by Sunday, the aftermath continues to unfold.