India has launched Operation Sadbhav to provide urgent humanitarian aid to Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar, countries severely impacted by Typhoon Yagi. The storm has claimed over 200 lives and left a trail of destruction across Southeast Asia.
1. Devastation by Typhoon Yagi: Typhoon Yagi, the strongest storm to hit Southeast Asia in decades, made landfall in the Philippines with winds reaching 149 km/h (92 mph). Although the storm has weakened, heavy rainfall continues, causing dangerously high water levels in affected areas.
2. Indian Relief Efforts: India has committed USD 1,000,000 in humanitarian aid, with USD 10,00,000 allocated to Vietnam and USD 1,00,000 to Laos. A C-17 military transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force has delivered 10 tonnes of relief materials to Laos, while 35 tonnes of aid are being sent to Vietnam.
3. Diplomatic Outreach: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar conveyed condolences to Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
4. Navy Deployment: The Indian Navy has mobilized resources for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in Myanmar. Eastern Naval Command has prepared an Indian naval warship for relief operations in Yangon, loading it with drinking water, rations, and medicines.
5. Myanmar’s Crisis: Myanmar’s military government has reported 74 deaths with 89 people still missing. The typhoon has displaced approximately 240,000 individuals, adding to the 3.4 million displaced by ongoing civil conflict.
6. Vietnam’s Toll: The death toll in Vietnam has risen to at least 226 due to landslides and flooding. The typhoon has caused extensive damage to factories and infrastructure throughout the country.
7. Flooding in Vietnam: A flash flood in northern Vietnam swept away an entire hamlet in Lao Cai province, resulting in 30 fatalities. The village of Lang Nu, home to 35 families, was buried under mud and debris.
8. Flooding in Thailand: Chiang Rai province in northern Thailand has experienced severe flooding, with many riverside villages submerged, complicating rescue efforts.
9. Ongoing Warnings: Authorities in the affected countries are advising residents to remain vigilant as forecasts predict continued heavy rainfall. Emergency teams are on high alert, and government agencies are coordinating rapid rescue operations.
10. Climate Change Concerns: The devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi underscores the impact of rising ocean temperatures on storm intensity. This ongoing crisis highlights the urgent need for global climate action and support for affected regions.