Typhoon Yagi Wrecks Agriculture in Southeast Asia
Asia’s most powerful storm this year, Typhoon Yagi, wreaked havoc across Southeast Asia and southern China, leaving dozens dead in the wake of powerful winds and rainfall.
In Vietnam, the death toll from Typhoon Yagi has reached 226 people, alongside widespread infrastructure and factory damage. Vietnam estimated over $170 million in damage to its agriculture sector, which could slow down GDP growth rate by 0.15 percent. In the heavily impacted provinces of Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Yen Bai, Hanoi, and Thai Nguyen, storms caused the deaths of over 22,000 livestock animals and 3 million poultry according to early assessments. Agricultural destruction has led to a jump in livestock prices. In a conference to address post-storm recovery, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien made several recommendations to assist farmers’ recovery. Measures included postponing debt payments, supporting reconstruction, and encouraging farmers to pivot to alternative products such as seaweed farming.
Myanmar also reported 130,000 animal deaths and the destruction of 259,000 hectares of agricultural land due to flooding and landslides. The Philippines and Laos also reported infrastructure damage and major flooding.
To support relief in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, the US-ASEAN Business Council recommends donations to be sent to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Relief Committee and the Vietnam Red Cross Society.
