Severe flooding and landslides caused by Typhoon Yagi have claimed at least 74 lives in Myanmar, with many still missing, according to state media reports. The disaster has affected over 450 villages and wards, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with 89 people still unaccounted for. Thousands of homes have been destroyed, compounding the crisis for residents of the war-torn country.
Typhoon Yagi, the strongest storm in Asia this year, has devastated Southeast Asia and southern China with heavy rainfall and fierce winds. In Myanmar, entire communities have been submerged, with images showing homes and vehicles underwater in areas like Taungoo, a city close to the capital Naypyidaw.
Many residents have been forced to evacuate using boats and makeshift bamboo rafts, salvaging their belongings in plastic bags as they escape the rising floodwaters.
Typhoon Yagi’s devastating impact in Myanmar leaves at least 74 dead, with many still missing amid severe flooding and landslides
Other countries in the region have also suffered significant losses due to Typhoon Yagi. Vietnam has reported a death toll of at least 226 from landslides and flash floods caused by the storm, according to government sources. In Thailand, nine people died in the past week from weather conditions linked to the typhoon, adding to the 33 fatalities the country has experienced since August due to rain-related disasters.
Scientists have long warned that climate change, particularly the warming of the oceans, is making storms like Typhoon Yagi more intense and deadly. While the responsibility for the climate crisis largely lies with developed nations, it is the developing countries, such as those in Southeast Asia, and small-island states that are facing the most severe consequences. The impact of this storm is another reminder of the growing vulnerability of these regions to climate-related disasters.
The situation in Myanmar, along with the devastation in neighboring countries, highlights the urgent need for global climate action. With thousands of people displaced and widespread infrastructure damage, the recovery process will be long and challenging for the affected nations. The humanitarian crisis caused by Typhoon Yagi demonstrates the far-reaching effects of extreme weather exacerbated by the changing climate.
