Severe Damage from Typhoon Bolaven in Vietnam
The toll from Typhoon Bolaven, which struck Vietnam last week, has risen to 51 fatalities, with 14 individuals still missing days after the disaster that caused significant damage and flooding.
The Ministry of Environment stated in a statement released today, Friday, that the estimated cost of the damage from the typhoon could reach $600 million.
The typhoon hit Central Vietnam on Sunday evening, bringing winds of up to 130 kilometers per hour, and lasted approximately 12 hours.
Heavy rains associated with the storm crippled the capital, Hanoi, earlier this week.
Many people lost their lives in landslides that occurred in mountainous areas in the north of the country, cutting off routes to tourist sites.
Meteorological experts indicated that the floods have started to recede; however, they warn that Typhoon Matmo, currently approaching the northern Philippines, could affect northern Vietnam early next week.
If that occurs, it would mark the eleventh storm to hit Vietnam this year; typically, the country experiences about ten storms annually.
Scientists report that climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent and severe worldwide.
